Actor Surya Sivakumar, who of late finds himself in news more for his virtue signalling positions than for his movies, has courted trouble after he wrote an elaborate letter voicing out his opinion against the conducting of NEET exam.
In his letter Surya called NEET and other entrance exams as ‘Manu Needhi’ exams saying that such exams brought out by the government amplified inequalities in society. He said that education policies are being framed by those who do not understand ground realities.
However, in an attempt to showcase his wit and drive home his point, Surya took a jibe at the courts saying that “while the courts dispensed justice through video-conferencing for fear of infection, they order students to be fearless and write exams in person.”
This comment has not gone down well with the judges fraternity. Justice SM Subramaniam of the Madras High Court has written to Chief Justice AP Sahi to initiate suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against the actor for his unsolicited opinions on the court.
“The Statement reveals that the Hon’ble Judges are afraid of their own life and rendering justice through video conferencing. While-so, they have no morale to pass orders directing the students to appear for NEET Exam without fear,” Justice SM Subramaniam wrote.
Noting that such comments would lead to a erosion of public confidence on the judiciary, Justice SM Subramaniam said,“The said statement in my considered opinion amounts to contempt of Court as the integrity and devotion of the Hon’ble Judges as well as the Judicial System of our Great Nation are not only undermined but criticised in a bad shape,”.
He said in his letter that that Suriya’s statement would warrant contempt proceedings as it criticised the judges and the judicial system of the country.
Surya’s upcoming movie ‘Soorarai Potru’ is set to be released directly on Amazon Prime on October 30.