Ex-Mylapore MLA: Pics of naked deities not paraded during Periyar rally in 1971

SALEM: Former Mylapore MLA K N Lakshmanan on Tuesday corrected actor Rajnikanth, saying pictures of Rama and Seetha naked were not paraded during the anti-superstition rally that was organized by social reformer Periyar E V Ramasamy in Salem city in 1971.

“Those pictures were placed on the dais and not taken during the rally,” he said.

Meanwhile, the veteran actor on Tuesday refused to tender an apology or express regret over his remarks that he made at the 50th anniversary celebrations of

Thuglak

magazine in Chennai recently.

Rajnikanth also said Lakshmanan, a native of Salem, had staged a protest, condemning the rally that was organized by Periyar.

Lakshmanan said more than 500 people had participated in the anti-superstition rally, by displaying pictures of all deities, including those of Rama and Seetha.

“Those were not naked pictures of deities as the actor had said, but they were garlanded with sandals. They had also beaten those pictures with sandals,” he said.

The former MLA said his Bharathiya Jan Sangam had strongly condemned the rally and raised slogans against Periyar.

When asked about the case that was filed by the Bharathiya Jan Sangam, Lakshmanan said he was the first witness in that case, while Cho, founder editor of Thuglak magazine, was the second witness.

“The case was, however, dismissed by court citing lack of evidence to prove our side.”