LI Network
Published on: January 24, 2024 at 13:30 IST
The Madras High Court has suggested that the State Government consider live telecasting legislative assembly proceedings with a short delay to allow the Speaker to expunge any unparliamentary or objectionable content.
The proposal came during the hearing of writ petitions filed by political leaders seeking live telecast of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy heard the petitions filed by the late Vijaykanth, leader of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, D Jagadheeswaran, State president of Lok Satta Party, and SP Velumani, chief whip of AIADMK party.
The Advocate General PS Raman informed the court that the question hour and call attention motion proceedings were already being telecast, but the entire parliamentary proceedings could not be live telecast due to potential unparliamentary statements.
The Court suggested that a short delay could be introduced to allow the Speaker to expunge objectionable remarks.
The Court questioned why state legislative proceedings could not be telecast when parliamentary proceedings are live-streamed. It emphasized that if politicians make unparliamentary remarks, it would work against them.
The Advocate General argued that under Article 122 of the Constitution, the Speaker has the authority to decide which part of the Legislative Assembly proceedings can be telecast, and this decision is not subject to court questioning.
While questioning the pleas’ maintainability, the court clarified that it wanted to explore the possibility of live telecasting with a delay. The matter was adjourned to March for further consideration.
Case Title: Vijaykant v The Secretary