In an unusual passage in a Madras High Court order dealing with alleged irregularities in the procurement of books for public libraries, Justice G R Swaminathan has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio programme Mann Ki Baat, crediting it with bringing the achievements of people from remote corners of the country into the national spotlight.
He added that these achievements would otherwise have gone unnoticed. To underscore the programme’s role in bringing obscure stories to public attention, the judge invoked a passage from Thomas Gray’s celebrated 18th-century poem, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, which reflects on how talent and greatness can remain unrecognised in remote places. Seeking to verify this claim, the bench questioned the Director of Public Libraries.
Introducing the observation as a “lighter remark”, Justice Swaminathan referred to Mann Ki Baat and wrote: “Thanks to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, we have come to know the great deeds done by several persons in the remote corners of the nation… “there was only silence” in response, according to the order.
The DMK countered by questioning the timeline of the purchases, accusing the TVK government of attempting to shift responsibility. The opposition party also approached the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) seeking an investigation.
The allegations swiftly triggered a political confrontation between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). School Education Minister A Rajmohan blamed the previous DMK regime, alleging the questionable books were procured during its tenure.
