DMK president M.K. Stalin on Thursday called upon the Centre to recall Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit.
Addressing an event organised by the Dravidar Kazhagam to ‘Save Freedom of Press’ and felicitate Tamil magazine Nakkheeran editor R.R. Gopal, Mr. Stalin vowed to protest till Mr. Purohit was removed.
Launching an attack on the Governor, whose office had filed a complaint against Mr. Gopal leading to his arrest under Section 124 of the IPC, the DMK leader said, "Those who are in the Secretariat are scared about corruption. Those living in Guindy (Raj Bhavan) are scared of (jailed assistant professor) Nirmala Devi. I hope cases are filed against me for saying this.”
Mr. Stalin said Mr. Gopal had seen many hurdles including getting arrested under POTA. “He has faced (former Chief Minister) Jayalalithaa herself... He doesn't have to worry, we are there. Tamil Nadu Governor has misused his powers and the weak Tamil Nadu government has allowed him to do what he wants,” the DMK leader charged.
He questioned why BJP national secretary H. Raja, who insulted the courts and the police, was yet to arrested. "Why didn't the law not take its course against H. Raja? [Actor] S. Ve. Shekher spoke so badly about women journalists. Why did the State government not take action against the two? The Centre is aiding the State government to run a dictatorial regime in Tamil Nadu."
Quick response
Speaking about the solidarity shown by journalists on the issue, N. Ram, Chairman, The Hindu Group's publishing company, THG Publishing Private Limited, said, "The opposition party, Left parties and political leaders such as (MDMK leader) Vaiko swiftly condemned the atrocious action of the government, police and Raj Bhavan. A good atmosphere was created. At the same time, there was a quick response by journalists, journalist organisations such as Alliance for Media Freedom, which we have formed, created a good atmosphere."
Stating that he was in Raj Bhavan meeting the Governor on the day when Mr. Gopal was arrested, Mr. Ram said, "Neither Governor nor the officials told us about the arrest of Gopal under Section 124. We know very well about Section 124 A, which is a sedition law. But we have never been worried or even heard of IPC section 124. It has never been used," said Mr. Ram, adding, "Later I realised that Raj Bhavan issued a threat against democratic protests organised by DMK in June, that Section 124 will be used. The threat issued against the opposition party was later used in this case." Praising the 13th Metroplitan magistrate Gopinathan's actions in this case, he said, "Usually, magistrates hearing such sensitive cases do not apply their mind and they will provide the remand. But he patiently listened to both sides and came to the right conclusion. The atmosphere had been created outside by solidatory shown by journalists."
‘Dangerous precedent’
Mr. Ram said that IPC section 124 only pertains to 'assault' and criminal use of force against the Governor or the President of India to restrain them from exercising lawful duties. "When magistrate Gopinathan asked me for my opinion, I said that IPC section 124 has no relevance or connection to the investigative article published by Nakkheeran. I also argued that if this case goes forward, it will set a dangerous precedent against press freedom and freedom of speech and expression. I also said that the Governor's office will be dragged into an ugly controversy."
Mr. Ram said that this could not be considered as an 'isolated' incident and should seen in the political context. "Tamil Nadu used to be a progressive State but it has become notorious. Previously, news channels have faced blackouts. Even Jayalalithaa, who was a strong leader, has not done something like that. Why is a weak government doing something like this?"
Speaking about his arrest, Mr. Gopal said that only during Jayalalithaa's time could IPC section 124 be applied.
"Channa Reddy, who was Governor of Tamil Nadu between 1991-96, was attacked when he was going through Tindivanam. He had given his consent to investigate Jayalaithaa in the TANSI case. That's the only case for which Section 124 applied," said Mr. Gopal.
Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani, said, "Democracy is in ICU today. Is Governor ruling the State? Should CM and others not feel ashamed?"
CPI leader R. Mutharasan, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president Prof. M.H. Jawahirullah, journalist Thirumavelan and others participated.