Case against TV channel for debate which ended in fight

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore police have come under fire after they registered a case against Tamil television channel Puthiya Thalaimurai for organising a debate that ended in a noisy fight in Coimbatore on Friday.

Police, who got a complaint from the owner of the venue, said the channel conducted the show in an “irresponsible” manner and “underplayed the magnitude and risks” of the event while getting police permission for the same. Political leaders, meanwhile, condemned the police action against the channel.

The channel recorded a debate on whether protests in the state were for people’s rights or for political reasons, at SNR and Sons College on Friday. During the debate, police said, film director Ameer Sultan spoke about Hindu Munnani leader Sasikumar’s murder, which was unrelated to the debate topic. This led to bedlam at the venue.

Police filed a case under sections 153 A, 505 and 3 (1) of the Indian Penal Code against Puthiya Thalamurai channel and a case against director Ameer under sections 153 A and 505.

A police officer said owing to the incidents, a group of Kongu Ilagnar Peravai members clashed with BJP members near Neelambur on Friday night. A car was damaged in stone pelting.

While the BJP has petitioned city police commissioner K Periaiah for action against director Ameer and TN Kongu Ilagner Peravai’s Thaniyarasu U, the CPM blamed the BJP for the fracas. “They (BJP members) did not let the show continue even after protesting for 45 minutes,” said the statement. “Police have chosen to only take action against the media who are focusing on important issues.”

TNCC President S Thirunavukkarasar said filing of the case is a threat to media freedom. “A channel cannot be held responsible for participants expressing their opinions for or against governments,” he said. TMC leader B Gnanadesikan urged the government to immediately withdraw the case.

Madras Reporters’ Guild called “the foisting of the case” as “frivolous and unwarranted”.