New Delhi, August 6 (HS): The Supreme Court overturned a Madras High Court decision that prohibited the Tamil Nadu government from naming welfare schemes after political leaders and imposed a Rs 10 lakh cost on the original petitioner, a sitting opposition MP. Chief Justice BR Gavai criticized the petition challenging the 'Yours Stalin' scheme, asserting that courts should not engage in political disputes, labeling the writ petition as an abuse of process of law indicative of political motives. The court highlighted that numerous schemes nationwide bear political names, with over 45 in Tamil Nadu, questioning the petitioner’s motives for targeting one party or leader.

Senior advocate AM Singhvi argued that many schemes are named after former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, supporting the practice. The state clarified that the 'Yours Stalin' scheme, initiated on June 19, aimed to enhance citizens’ understanding of welfare benefits, not to glorify the Chief Minister. Petitioner’s counsel claimed schemes should maintain political neutrality and referenced Supreme Court rulings against naming schemes after politicians. However, the court noted past judgments permitted such naming, particularly for prominent political figures.

The bench criticized the petitioner for approaching the High Court directly while bypassing the Election Commission’s process, calling the petition’s filing approach and broad claims against the ECI questionable. Emphasizing that political disputes should be settled electorally rather than judicially, the Supreme Court allowed Tamil Nadu’s appeal, annulled the High Court’s order, dismissed the petition, and mandated the cost be allocated to welfare initiatives for the underprivileged.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar