Seating faux pas during CJ VK Tahilramani swearing-in sparks discontent in Madras HC

An apparent protocol oversight on the part of the organising authorities at the ceremony held for the swearing-in of Justice VK Tahilramani as Chief Justice of the Madras High Court has led to controversy..It appears that judges of the High Court were relegated to take seats behind police officials who attended the event held yesterday, contrary to the protocol when it comes to seating arrangements for such official events..The protocol breach also prompted Justice MS Ramesh of the Madras High Court to express his dismay in a statement circulated online..“With a bit of dismay, I am constrained to bring on record the incautious protocol extended to the Judges of the MHC at today’s swearing-in ceremony by the organizers of Raj Bhavan. It was not only a disappointment but an issue of serious concern..Was the Raj Bhavan unaware of the hierarchy between the Constitutional dignitaries and the police officers? Or is it their understanding that the HC Judges rank below the order of Hon’ble Ministers and Police Officers?.Being an official function, there cannot be a second opinion that the protocol to be extended was for the post and not the individual..I am given to understand from the HC Registrar- liasoning that his prior request to oversee the seating arrangements for the HC Judges was denied by Raj Bhavan. If it could be true, it is rather unfortunate that it can only be termed to be [a] deliberate act of extending a cold shoulder to us..We deserve an explanation…”.Justice Ramesh also took note that the judges were constrained to raise similar concerns earlier as well, when they were asked to give up their seats for politicians during another event held earlier this year..“It would not be out of place to mention here that earlier this year, the HC Judges were pushed out of their legitimate seats during the Thirukalyanam at AM Meenakshi Amman temple at Madurai to accommodate Ministers and politicians. The concern we had raised in this regard is yet to be answered.”.Images taken during the ceremony also confirm that the High Court judges were made to sit a row behind police officials during the event..The Raj Bhavan’s apparent protocol lapse has also been decried by several lawyers of the High Court. Echoing the sentiment expressed by various advocates, Advocate M Velmurugan said,.“I strongly condemn the breach of protocol by the Governor’s office. The attitude of the Governor’s office in undermining the esteem of the judiciary is condemnable. We request, on behalf of the bar, to take serious action against the persons who are responsible for such breach of protocol. We request that the Governor’s office not repeat such events in the future.”.“This is highly reprehensible,” remarked Advocate V Vasanthkumar..“The Rajbhavan authorities are liable to be taken to task. Hon’ble Judges of the High Court are holding the exalted Constitutional Office and have equal Judicial powers under the Constitution as that of the Chief Justice. I sincerely hope that this issue would be redressed at the earliest, failing which the High Court must initiate suo motu proceedings against the concerned persons.”.Senior Advocate P Wilson explained the gravity of the protocol breach as follows,.“It’s quite unfortunate that the Governor’s secretariat has shown an indifferent attitude towards the warrant of precedence issued by the central government, which is also adopted by the President of India and all Governors of States and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories..Judges of High Courts are at serial number 17 of the said warrant of precedence and minister of state in respective states is shown at serial number 18. The Director-General of CBI is shown at serial number 25 along with the Chief Secretary. The Advocate General is also at serial number 25 and is kept below Additional Solicitor General of India..However, the seat allotment in yesterday’s function where Judges were made to sit behind police officers shows that they have no regard not only for the warrant of precedence, but also for the sanctity of constitutional authorities.”.Wilson also pointed out that the event was conducted in a hall that was not equipped to handle the large gathering invited for the occasion. In this background, he also opines that the ceremony should be conducted in the Madras High Court itself..“The Raj Bhavan knows the strength of the High Court judges and the number of expected dignitaries who are going to attend the function. It ought to have held the function in a big hall inside Raj Bhawan itself. The seating capacity of Durbar hall is only 100 and there is complete negligence on the part of the Governor’s secretariat in organising this function. .Our High Court has a bigger auditorium, with more than 1000 seating capacity. Henceforth all swearing in functions should be conducted in that auditorium itself. The Governor should not have any reservation to enter into our campus to perform his constitutional duty of swearing the incoming Chief Justices.“.Wilson also emphasised that the incident cannot be dismissed lightly..“Yesterday’s incidents was an affront to the sanctity of the judiciary and a severe breach of protocol. The Governor’s Secretariat should offer an apology.”.In the meantime, there are reports that a High Court judge will be raising the issue with IAS Officer S Rajagopal, who is the Secretary to the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Banwarilal Purohit..On Tuesday, the Madras High Courts Advocates Association (MHAA) also released a statement condemning the unceremonial and undignified manner in which seating arrangements were provided for the High Court judges at the ceremony. Further, the MHAA has forewarned that a similar situation would not be tolerated if it should reoccur in the future..Read the MHAA statement:.Featured image source unknown.