TESO meet: Centre, TN government raise objections

Both the Centre and Tamil Nadu government today raised

objections to certain aspects of the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO)

conference to be held here on August 12.The Centre told the Madras High Court that it would not

allow the organisers, including DMK, to use the word 'Eelam' in the heading of

the international conference, while the state government said it may deny

permission for holding the event as the chosen venue was not big enough to

accommodate the number of people expected to attend it.As two PILs against holding the TESO conference came up for

hearing before a division bench of the high court comprising Justices Elipe

Dharma Rao and M Venugopal, the Centre in a communication said it had "no

objection from a political angle for the proposed international conference with

foreign participants with the provision that 'Eelam' be dropped from the title

of the conference and subject to clearance by the Ministry of Home Affairs and

other competent authorities".State Advocate General A Navaneethakrishnan said police

permission may be denied as the YMCA ground was located near a government

hospital, attended by over 3000 out-patients daily.Besides, according to DMK party spokesman Murasoli, over one

lakh people were expected to attend the meet with about 1250 vehicles which may

result in traffic diversions in that area, bringing life to a standstill in the

city."Undoubtedly, it would cause inconvenience not only to

the patients but also the general public," he said.P Wilson, representing the conference organisers, said the

publicity for the event was first issued in July but the present petitions were

filed only on August seven, just five days before commencement of the

conference. The ground was continuously being used for several high-profile

events.Pointing out that Section 41 of the Tamil Nadu City Police

Act conferred powers on the City Commissioner of police to regulate assemblies,

meetings and processions in public places, the Bench directed the police chief

to pass a detailed order on the representation submitted by the conference

organisers and communicate the decision to them immediately.A once defunct organisation founded by him, TESO was revived

by Karunanidhi recently and its first meet was scheduled here for Sunday with

scores of leaders besides some Sri Lankan Tamil leaders expected to participate

in it.Meanwhile, responding to the High Court judgement, DMK chief

M Karunanidhi expressed hope that the police "will not shirk

responsibility.""The police is also responsible for the peaceful

conduct of conferences and I hope they don't shirk the responsibility," he

told reporters.He also denied that the Centre had asked TESO conference

organisers not to use the word "Eelam" (separate nationhood) in the

conference."No such order has been received from either the Union

Home Ministry or Prime Minister. The term is found even in Tamil literature and

history," he said indicating that the conference will be held overcoming

all the obstacles.On his ally Congress' refusal to participate in the meet, he

said that was "their opinion," but all have been invited.