CHENNAI: A day after the
surprise detention
of
May 17
Movement leader
Thirumurugan Gandhi
and three of his associates under
Goondas Act
, the Tamil Nadu government came under severe criticism by top film personalities, who held a press
conference in Chennai
on Tuesday. Gandhi and the others were pciked up when they were leading a march towards the Marina to observe the Mullivaikal Remembrance day, as a tribute to people killed in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war.
“Did
Thirumurugan Gandhi
commit murder or dacoity warranting his preventive detention under Goondas Act?” questioned veteran film director Bharathiraja. “What wrong did Thirumurugan Gandhi and others commit? They merely held a peaceful memorial programme. What violent activity did he involve in?” he asked.
In an indirect reference to clamour for superstar Rajinikanth’s entry into politics, Bharathiraja said anyone could enter politics in Tamil Nadu, but only those belonging to Tamil Nadu should assume leadership position. “Let us not beg those who do not know anything, to enter politics,” he said.
As for Tamil Nadu government’s functioning as of now, Bharathiraja said top leaders of the ruling party had become ‘thalaiyaattu bommai’ (yes men) for the Centre, because they had things to hide. “Film personalities are protesting because they have nothing to hide,” he said.
“If we have any sense of shame and responsibility, we must ensure the release of Thirumurugan Gandhi and others immediately,” he said. Bharathiraja was flanked by film directors Vetrimaran, Ameer and Gowthaman, among others.
On Monday, DMK working president and leader of opposition M K Stalin while condemning the arrest of four people including Thirumurugan demanded that the chief minister direct the police to withdraw the case filed against them and release them immediately. He said the government should stop use of police force to curb democratic and peaceful campaigns.
Terming the action as an attempt to curb the freedom of speech Stalin pointed out that pro-Tamil forums and activists used to gather in a peaceful manner every year to pay tribute to the Tamil people killed in the ethnic war in Sri Lanka. But the Tamil Nadu government, earlier led by O Panneerselvam and currently by Edappadi K Palaniswami had abused their power by using police to unleash violence against the peaceful campaigners.
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