5 The petitioner claimed to itself, the credit for the various steps stated to have been initiated by it, before the organizations within and outside the country, with an object of ameliorating the conditions of workmen.  Several instances are cited in an index.  To that extent, nobody can have any grievance, and even if a handful of workers are benefited out of such proceedings or steps, the petitioner deserves to be congratulated and appreciated for it.  However, this court is compelled to observe that the only provocation for the petitioner to file this writ petition appears to be the recent unfortunate happenings in relation to a Seer of an Ancient, prestigious, glorious and reputed institution, with almost 2500 years of history.  The petitioner made no secret of this and found it difficult to relate or connect the alleged causes, to the name, he has taken with impunity.  When he was called upon to explain, he tendered apology and sought to delete the paragraph.  To certain extent, the petitioner who appears to have been otherwise interested in the welfare of labourers was swayed away by the news items published in certain dailies and he did not want to lag behind in the unprecedented process of denigration of the religious intuitions.

6 It is rather sad and sorrowful that an institution of such glory, that withstood foreign invasions, and social revolutions from time to time spread over past 25 centuries, is virtually targeted and persecuted in an organized manner, in an independent country.  Not only individuals but also a section of institutions, such as, the State and Press, appear to be determined to be belittle and besmirch the Peetham. The perfidy caused to it has shocked almost everybody in the society, cutting across the religions and borders of the country.  The role of the Courts, though indirect, is by no means insignificant.  Proponents of human rights, fair play and dignity to the individuals and institutions have maintained stoic silence.  A powerful section is either celebrating it or is watching it, with indifference.  The issue appears to be having a greater dimension than investigation into a murder.  That however is a different aspect.

7 There are certain institutions in every country, which constitute their conscience and pride, and irrespective of the form of the Government, they are respected and revered.  In doing so, the country and its people, in fact respect themselves.  Even where any aberration occurs in such institutions, wise and prudent people make all efforts to address them in isolation and try to protect the institution, at all costs.  It is only the unwise and shortsighted that try to protect the system or institution with reference to aberration.  If at all anything, such measures indicate fall of moral and ethical standards.  In the process, the institution has nothing to lose, but in the long run, the society will be heading towards self-destruction.  The situation would be much more serious where the targeted institution is the conscious keeper of the society.

8 For example, few years ago, no less a personality than the Chief Justice of India, said at a meeting that there is considerable number of Judges whose reputation is not above board.  This statement will certainly be matter of concern for everyone, but can never constitute a justification to denounce the judiciary as whole.  Examples can be multiplied.  Further, it is not uncommon that the institutions or persons of high reputation are subjected to virulent propaganda.  One is required to be careful and cautious in forming opinions or acting on the basis of the same.  Human ingenuity is so capable that it can make people to believe as true, what is in fact false, and vice-versa.  It is for this reason that one has to reserve the opinions about others till a final adjudication or verification takes place.

9 In the recent history, we had an example.  During the Rule of Sri Krishnadevaraya, one of the most celebrated kings of the time, a section of the family was successful in getting a verdict against the pillar of the dynasty; Mahamanthri Timmarusu, by creating false evidence and get his eyes removed by way of punishment.  It was too late for the king to repent, when the truth came out and what happened thereafter is a matter of history.  Unfortunately, those who are in search of immediate fame, publicity or protection, do not draw any lessons from such instances.  The amount of disrepute and sacrilege inflicted upon Sri. Jayendra Saraswathi, as of now, is so enormous, that it hardly has any comparables.  Harshest possible words and expressions were used either directly or in innuendo.  For persons who have grown to the level of distinguishing the body from the soul, this may be of little consequence.  However, the entire episode certainly indicates the levels of mercury in the barometer of social and moral values.

10 Today, he is subjected to the similar treatment, as was Draupadi, in the court of Kauravas.  While some enjoyed the humiliation caused to her, others who were in a position to rescue her, remained silent by citing their own personal reasons or pleading excuses.  It ultimately emerged that both the categories of the people had to pay the price.  They lost their right to protest, when they were subjected to humiliation or injustice of a higher degree, at a later point of time.

11 The importance of spiritual organizations and institutions can by no means by underestimated in the matter of building and shaping a country, or for that matter, the society.  Sometimes, attempts are made to depict the spiritualism as an antithesis to scientific thinking.  However, if one reads what Albert Einstein, a scientist of the highest order said, it would be evident as to how shallow, such an approach is. He observed.

“I have made the Geetha and Sanskrit Literature, the main source of my inspiration and guidance for the purpose of scientific investigations and formation of my theories”.

The contribution of such institutions in the field of character building and preaching of morals, irrespective of the religions, to which they belong, hardly needs any emphasis.  Any attempt to denigrate them, would be a pointer towards the progression of the society towards ethical and moral bankruptcy.  When such bankruptcy and degradation reaches a point, the very connotation of civilization and importance of the basis of motivated or unproved allegations would be suicidal to the society.

12 An expression which has gained considerable currency in the recent past is “Law will take its own course”.  With due difference to those who coined it or those who firmly believe in it, it can be said that it is not true, at least in part.  For this adage to become true, there has to be sincerity and honesty at all levels in all those who are associated with administration of justice.  The outcome of proceedings in law, particularly in criminal cases can be predicted with an element of objectivity and certitude, if only

a)     the prosecuting  agency presents the case honestly,

b)     the witnesses depose truly,

c)     the provisions are law are clear, and

d)     the adjudicator is efficient and honest.

Lapse or deficiency on any of these aspects would have its own impact on the outcome of the case.

13 If the prosecution is to depend upon the whims and fancies of the prosecuting agency or the Government of the day, if the witnesses keep on changing their versions, if the law is framed or changed keeping certain individuals in view, and if the adjudicator is not upto the expected standards, the law ill not take its own course.  On the other hand, its course is determined by one or the several factors referred to above.  The way in which cases foisted or withdrawn, particularly with the change of the Governments, the manner in which, the witnesses are coming forward, with conflicting versions, would illustrate phenomenon referred to above.  The criminal legal system in the country has become so elastic and uncertain that persons can be put behind the bars for months or years together on the basis of unfounded allegations, whereas, those convicted for heinous crimes can be made to wander freely in the society by liberating them from jails, even before they have served the sentence.  Much would depend upon the whims of those who control the system.

14 In the recent past, the freedom of the prosecuting agency, and that of the Courts, to deal with the cases before them freely and objectively, is substantially eroded, on account of the overactive or proactive stances taken in the presentations made by the print and electronic media.  Once an incident involving prominent person or institution takes place, the media is swinging into action and virtually leaving very little for the prosecution or the Courts to examine the matter.  Recently, it has assumed dangerous proportions to the extent of intruding into the very privacy of individuals.  Gross misuse of technological advancements, and the unhealthy competition in the field of journalism resulted in obliteration of norms or commitment to the noble profession.  The freedom of speech and expression, which is the bedrock of journalism, is subjected to gross misuse.  It must not be forgotten that only those who maintain restraint can exercise rights and freedoms effectively.

15 If the press clippings filed as material papers in this writ petition are examined, it indicates the miserable levels to which the glorious profession of journalism was brought to.  In the edition of 17^th November of a Telugu daily, the heading of news item, loosely translated, reads “harassment to labourers and luxuries to Swami”.  The name of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi was taken and it was written “since last two decades the management is inviting Swamiji by incurring huge expenditure for performing poojas, and it is facing the criticism of “killing crows and feeding vultures”.  In another news item of 5^th December, 2004, of the same daily, indiscriminate reference is made to Swamiji and others in the context of death of women which is said to have taken place in the year 1998.  It continued its tirade against the mill in the subsequent news items, and wrote very nasty about it.  Another vernacular daily went a bit further.  In its District Edition of 4^th December, 2004, it has put a picture of noose used to hang the criminals, around the sign board of Surya Laxmi Cotton Mills.  In the news item, the name of Swami Jayendra Saraswathi is taken and reference is made to several irregularities said to have taken place in the mill.  Even before the writ petition is filed, the petitioner appears to have informed the daily, and in their district Edition on 11^th December, 2004 a news item was published that the petitioner is going to file a writ petition.  Here again, the name of the seer was taken.

16 A section of the electronic medium has reduced the entertainment and journalism to nauseating levels.  For instance, a local Telugu Channel conducted a quiz, in the last week.  The viewers were given the option to choose ‘Bakara’ among the 4 choices.  They are 1) Sushil Kumar Shinde 2) Jayendra Saraswathi 3) Uma Bharathi and 4) the Cheetah, caught at Jubilee Hills.  To say the least, the said news items and the presentations in the networks disclose the way of thinking or the standards set for themselves in the field of journalism, by those, who are running the same.  The persons who have contributed the news items and those who published them have forgotten basic values of life, leave alone that journalism.  Unfortunately, they are not rare exceptions.

17 At one stage, this Court thought of issuing notices to the concerned newspapers and the channel, directing them to show cause as to why the matter should not be referred to Press Council of India or any other concerned agencies.  Two factors weighed with the Court, to give up the idea.  One is that such a course of action is prone to be utilized for aggrandizement.  The second is that, in the matters of this nature, effective results can be expected, if a proper message is conveyed, with the hope that wise counsel would prevail on the concerned.  If they still pursue the same path, a day would not be too far when they would be shown their place in the society.

18 Freedom of speech and expression is a concept “deduced” (to adopt the words of Sri Soli Sorabji) by courts from the provisions of the Constitution of India.  Though there is no direct provision in the constitution, the Courts, particularly the Supreme Court and High Courts recognized the necessity and importance of a free press, to sustain a healthy democracy and the corresponding right was carved out, through the process of interpretation.  It was nourished and nurtured by the courts by protecting it from the onslaughts, from time to time.  However, with the passage of time, the freedom came to be grossly misused by certain agencies.  Thanks to the contribution of a section of the press, such a sacred freedom was brought to nauseating levels.  The observation of the Supreme Court recently in relation to a photographs of a cine heroine and her friend; in a daily, indicates the gravity.  One has only to realize that the courts which have “deduced” freedom of speech and expression and nurtured it for the past few decades, may not find it difficult to redefine it if it is found to have been misused by certain persons or institutions, to the point absurdity.  It is the cumulative effect of the various instances of the type referred to above, that may bring about such a situation or rethinking in the entire matter, and if that happens, the society may have to pay the proportionate price.  The reason is that, freedom is always replaced by tyranny.

19 There is a broader angle to the matter.  Though the Courts have rescued the situations many times, they have their own limitations.  Much would depend on the values cherished by a society.  If the state institutions and the members of the society do not identify for themselves, and follow the basic norms, much cannot be expected from the Courts.  Once the society does not feel any responsibility to itself, and does not follow the basic principles of morality, mutual respect and tolerance, no Courts can help the situation.  A famous Jurist and an American Judge, ‘Learned Hand’, in one of his celebrated speeches on “Contribution of an Independent Judiciary” observed as under:

“That a society so riven that the spirit of moderation is gone, no court can save’ that a society where that spirit flourishes, no court need save; that in a society which evades its responsibility by thrusting upon the courts the nurture of that spirit, that spirit in the end will perish.  What is the spirit of moderation? It is the temper which does not press a partisan advantage to its bitter end, which can understand and will respect the other side, which feels a unity between all citizens – real and not the fictitious product of propaganda – which recognizes their common fate and their common aspirations – in a word, which has faith in the sacredness of the individual.  If you ask me how such a temper and such a faith are bred and fostered, I cannot answer.  They are the last flowers of civilization, delicate and easily overrun by the weeks of our sinful human nature’ we may even now be witnessing their uprooting and disappearance until in the progress of the ages their seeds can once more find some friendly soil.  But I am satisfied that they must have the vigor within themselves to withstand the winds and weather of an indifferent and ruthless world’ and that it is idle to seek shelter for them in a courtroom.  Men must take that temper and that faith with them into the field, into the market-place, into the factory, into the council-room, into their homes; they cannot be imposed; they must be lived.  Words will not express them; arguments will not clarify them; decisions will not maintain them…”.

He said about spirit of liberty almost similar tone.  This aspect of the matter was clearly demonstrated in India, during emergency.

20 The necessity for this Court to undertake this discussion arose because of the fact that the pleadings of the petitioner are nothing but the manifestation of the feelings of a section of society and unless they are curbed at a stage, they may grow to monstrous proportions.  Though Courts or other institutions may express their view points, much would depend on how the society at large, chooses to react.  IT is said that when Thomas Jefferson came out of the Constituent Assembly, the waiters asked him as to what is the form of government, they have decided for America.  His answer was “Democracy, provided you keep it”.  What applies to form of government, equally, if not with greater force applies to the norms and values in the society.

21 The petitioner sought for action against the mill, by alleging certain acts and omissions against it.  It was fundamental for it to have impleaded the mill.  It has not chosen to do so.  The obvious reason is that it was more anxious to tarnish the image of a seer than to protect the interests of the labourers.  The whole episode reveals that the concept of public interest litigation evolved by Courts to protect public interest has been grossly misused by the petitioner.

22 For the foregoing reasons, the writ petition is dismissed.  There shall be no order as to costs.