Political parties and student organisations staged protests at various places on Wednesday condemning BJP leader H. Raja for his remarks against ideologue E.V. Ramasamy.
The DMK cadre staged a demonstration at Othakadai. P. Moorthy, MLA, sought the arrest of Mr. Raja. “His comments that the Periyar statues would be removed like the statue of Lenin in Tripura is condemnable. Besides, one of the statues of the leader was damaged in Vellore,” he said.
The police provided security to all statues of Periyar and the office of the BJP and Hindu outfits as a precautionary measure.
Sixteen persons belonging to various organisations including Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, Dravida Viduthalai Kazhagam, Revolutionary Students Front tried to lay a siege to the office of BJP at Melamadai. However, the police prevented them. Commotion prevailed for some time as the youth tried to escape before they were arrested.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, led by its urban district secretary, Kathiravan, staged a protest near the Periyar statue near Outpost. They sought the arrest of Mr. Raja.
Members of People’s Rights Protection Centre, Makkal Athigaram, among others, staged a protest against desecration of Periyar statue and condemned Mr. Raja.
