Overview
- Justice G R Swaminathan allowed petitioner Siva Kalaimani Ambalam to install the stupa on the land named in his plea, setting aside the local revenue officer’s objection.
- The November 26 order records claims of a 1755 clash at Natham Kanavai where Melur Kallars fought British forces, with the petitioner attributing earlier idol looting to troops led by Colonel Alexander Heron.
- Citing a memorial for Stan Swamy, the court said permission is not required for such commemorative structures, applying the same reasoning to the proposed stupa.
- The ruling frames remembrance of victories over colonial forces as serving a national and social purpose, referencing Article 51A’s call to cherish ideals of the freedom struggle.
- The court noted the Kallar community’s martial tradition and the colonial ‘criminal tribes’ label, and used Chennai’s chess success as a contemporary example of how celebrating achievement can inspire excellence.