Periyar statue defaced in Tamil Nadu, MP Kanimozhi questions AIADMK on inaction

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi tweeted a picture of a Periyar statue defaced in Tamil Nadu and called for strict against culprits on Friday, July 17.

DMK's Women's wing secretary on her p posted a two-part tweet explaining her angst over frequent vandalisation of Periyar statues in State and perpetrators repeatedly going unidentified and walking away "scot-free".

Periyar statue defaced in Tamil Nadu

In her post on microblogging site, DMK leader made scathing attacks on ruling party AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and stated that people of Tamil Nadu will never lend support to a government that does t respect Periyar or in any way continues to allow those who insult it remain unbored. She also furr questioned why State government is t taking adequate action to combat crisis.

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In her tweet she attached a photo of vandalised statue and added ar caption to it saying, while it's completely unreasonable that AIADMK is doing this, she is t surprised as party maintains abject silence on issue. 
However, this is t first time that a Periyar statue has been defaced by miscreants. In January, earlier this year, tensions were high in Kanchipuram's Kaliyapettai as face and hands of a Periyar statue were damd.

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statue was touted to have been installed by local residents 20 years ago and was reportedly inaugurated by leaders of DMK. Following vandalisation, locals and party cadres from DMK and VCK protested demanding arrest of culprits. Complaints were lodged in Salavakkam police station but case remains unsolved.

Villrs, however, suspected that fans of actor Rajinikanth may have been responsible for act in an apparent backlash to protests carried out by Periyarist outfits against actor's remark on leader and his thoughts on Hindu establishment dating all way back to 1971.

Read | Pro-Tamil group approaches Madras HC against Rajinikanth on Periyar row

MP Kanimozhi furr added that "Even after decades after his demise Periyar is still one who sets narrative. He is t a mere statue but path to self respect and social justice including those who smear him with colours."

Who is Periyar?

EV Ramasamy, more fondly remembered as Periyar was a social reformer, activist and politician, regarded widely in Tamil Nadu and Kerala as Far of Dravidian Movement and is largely credited to have pioneered 'Self-Respect Movement'. He was table for raising his voice against Brahmanical dominance and dispelling myths about and caste-based inequality in South India, where he is revered by large sections of people.

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