DMK workers protested in Madurai on Thursday. | Photo Courtesy: R Ashok
Law Minister S Regupathi on Thursday questioned AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s silence on Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments about BR Ambedkar.
While the DMK was protesting across the state on the issue, Mr. Palaniswami remained silent. Ambedkar was supporting the forces trying to make derogatory comments, he posted on social media.
Meanwhile, Mr. Palaniswami told reporters in Salem that he did not take Mr. Regupathi’s comments seriously. He further said that in this case, he organized secretary of AIADMK D. Jayakumar supported the views expressed.
Mr. Jayakumar said that people will reject those who insult Dr. Ambedkar.
The DMK and its allies staged protests across the state on Thursday over Mr. Shah’s remarks. Leading the DMK protest, the party’s organizing secretary RS Bharti said if Prime Minister Narendra Modi respected the sentiments of the protesters, Mr. Shah should be suspended for at least six months.
Condemning Mr. Shah, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthgai denied the Union Minister’s allegation that the Congress had Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy has been tarnished.
CPI(M) members led by party state secretary K Balakrishnan demonstrated in Chennai. Mr Balakrishnan said people from Kashmir to Kanniyakumari were upset with Mr Shah for his comments and urged Mr Modi to sack the Union minister from his cabinet.
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president MH Jawahirullah said Mr. Shah’s speech was a reflection of the BJP’s efforts to change the constitution. VCK also staged protests across the state.
In Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts, DMK, Congress and VCK workers staged separate protests in front of railway junctions and bus stands. In Madurai, VCK workers staged a train row at a railway junction and raised slogans against Mr. Shah. The Guruvayur Express was stopped for a few minutes due to the protest. VCK activists were detained.
MLA G. Under the leadership of Thalapathi, DMK workers K. protested in Pudur. Congress workers staged a protest in front of Shalik in Tiruvalluvar.
In Dindigul, VCK workers tried to enter a railway junction. They tried to burn Shah’s effigy before the police took it under control. DMK workers led by Palani MLA IP Senthil Kumar protested in front of the bus stand. Protests were also held in Odanchatram, Natham and Vedasandur in the district.
Protesters in Ramanathapuram, Theni and Sivaganga districts raised slogans condemning Mr. Shah.
In Tiruchi city, DMK workers demonstrated in front of Anna’s statue at Musiri Kaikatti and near the collector’s office. More than 500 people attended the demonstration.
In Ariyalur, DMK workers demonstrated at 13 places including Jayamkondam and Sendurai. In Nagapattinam district, they protested at 16 places. Protests were also held in Coimbatore.
In Pudukottai district, DMK members staged demonstrations at Arthangi and Manamelkudi. Protests were also held in Myladuthurai and Karur districts.
According to police sources, a group of VCK members living on the railway tracks in Nagapattinam and Kizvellur were arrested, and later released. VCK activists blocked the road at two places in Aryalur district.
Meanwhile, MNM president Kamal Haasan in a post on social media said that every Indian who proudly believes and Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of a free and just India fought for, the great man’s legacy can never be tarnished.
(with inputs from Madurai and Tiruchi).
published – December 20, 2024 at 12:49 pm IST