"Do Not Want To Open Pandora Box": Madras HC Dismisses Plea To Declare Thiru Kural As National Book Of Values & Virtues

The Court was hearing a petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking directions to respondents to declare 'Thiru Kural' as the National Book of High Values and Virtues or the National Literature of Virtue with Ethics of India, and ensure it is translated into all Indian languages and included in the curriculum at all educational institutions under the Union and State Governments from primary to higher education levels, nationalise all Sangam period Tamil literature and declare it as the National Property of India, introduce awards in the name of 'Thiruvalluvar' for social activities and services, similar to the 'Bharat Ratna,' to be awarded on Independence Day, erect a statue of Thiruvalluvar near the new Parliamentary building, recognize him as 'The Ethical and Spiritual Guru of India,' and declare his birthday as 'The Spiritual and Ethical Day of India.'

The bench of Justice R. Subramaniam and Justice L. Victoria Gowri observed, “The declaration sought for by the petitioner is not within the domain of this Court, it is the policy decision, which has to be taken by the concerned Governments on the basis of the pre-implementation survey that has to be done.”

Deputy Solicitor General of India K.Govindarajan appeared for the Respondent.

The Court noted that our Nation has several people speaking several languages and if the prayer of the petitioner is allowed, it will result in every High Court in the country passing orders for recognizing a particular text or an epic or a book as a National Book of High Values and Virtues of India.

The Court said, “We are not for a moment restricting Thirukural to Tamil Nadu alone but at the same time, we do not want to open the Pandoras box, that will lead to complete chaos.”

Accordingly, the Court dismissed the Writ Petition.