Over 500 held for black flag protest against Governor

Around 550 cadres of the DMK and other Opposition parties, who attempted to stage a black flag protest against Governor Banwarilal Purohit during his visit to Virudhunagar district, were detained on Friday. The agitators accused the Governor of interfering with the State’s administration.

The agitators began assembling on Sivakasi Road near Virudhunagar in the morning, in a bid to show black flags to the Governor, who was expected to pass through the area en route to Virudhunagar from Srivilliputtur after offering worship at the Andal temple there.

‘Interference’ flayed

Carrying black flags, the cadres, mostly belonging to the DMK, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, raised slogans against the Governor for “interfering with the State’s administration” through his “inspections” and “reviews” in different districts.

Thangam Thennarasu, the DMK MLA from Tiruchuli, alleged that the Governor's actions went against the principles of State autonomy.

“Our party stands strongly for safeguarding the State’s rights. We have registered our opposition directly with the Governor. Despite this, he continues his inspections. Hence, we decided to show black flags as a mark of protest,” he said.

Around 550 cadres, including a small group of women, were detained and taken away by the police, around 30 minutes before Mr. Purohit's convoy arrived.