Published 14:11 IST, July 24th 2020
Karuppar Koottam Surendran unapologetic after arrest; says 'Develop scientific temper'
Karuppar Koottam admin said he should not be faulted for exercising constitutional rights. Quoting Article 51A(h), he called it 'Spirit of inquiry and reform'.
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Karuppar Koottam's Surendran Natarajan moved a bail petition in Egmore court on July 23, claiming his arrest was "politically motivated". Natarajan, a YouTube presenter and min of Karuppar Koottam was recently booked for posting a video that allegedly portrayed Hindu god Murugan and a devotional song dedicated in his name Kandha Sashti Kavasam in poor taste.
plaintiff in case was BJP's legal wing heed by vocate RC Paul Kanakaraj. Natarajan claimed that complainant h "ulterior motives" and h done it to gain political mile. He also furr ded that plaintiff's intention was to create ruckus in society in name of religion.
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cybercrime police initially filed a petition seeking permission to detain and interrogate Surendran Natarajan and Senthilvasa — both members of Karuppar Koottam YouTube channel. Upon hearing case, Judge Roslin Durai h stated that police should be allowed to take perpetrators into custody in order to complete inquiry, following which a decision will be me and an order issued based on findings.
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However, once order prounced YouTube min to remain in custody, Natarajan argued that his actions did t warrant an arrest and that all legal requirements placed by Supreme Court were igred if t flouted. petitioner in his claim stated that content presented in platform was within his "democratic liberties" and cant be construed as an offence.
petitioner said, "A duty is cast upon every citizen of India under Article 51A(h) to develop scientific temper, humanism and spirit of inquiry and reform." Using this an example, and a bargaining chip, petitioner claimed, offence can hence be carried out against channel for ir content.
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As situation spiralled out of control, several table leers and celebrities commented on issue. In one such case, actor Rajinikanth lauded Tamil Nu government for taking swift action against miscreants and condemned Periyarist channel for ir derogatory content.
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In actor's strongly-worded tweet, which was shared with a post in Tamil, he says, "Those responsible for heius act, offending sentiments of millions of Tamil people, must be punished so severely that y never forget trauma behind incident."
"I thank Tamil Nu government wholeheartedly for intervening and taking down videos in question and I hope better sense prevails among those who continue to slander and deunce religions. All religions are ble and welcome. Hail Murugan!"
DMK has come in support for Surendran and channel and has stated that y have every right to fight for social justice, express views on religion and existence of God under Constitution and that y should t be punished for it.
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issue has evidently taken social media by storm with users trending several hashtags related to incident — some to support Karuppar Koottam and ors stand firmly with decision taken by government as well as Rajinikanth's post. Some of hashtags users have trended regarding issue are #KarupparKoottam #VetrivelVeeravel #KandhanukuArohara #AntiHindu #வெற்றிவேல்வீரவேல் #Murugan and several more.
14:10 IST, July 24th 2020