Periyar's bust desecrated with saffron paint, slippers in Tiruchy; Kanimozhi condemns act

A bust of Dravida Kazhagam (DK) leader EV Ramaswamy ‘Periyar’ was found desecrated with saffron paint in Samathuvapuram vill in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu on Sunday. Residents of vill complained to Ramjee Nagar police station which cleaned bust immediately and launched an investigation in matter.

incident took place in wee hours of Sunday and re were CCTV cameras to identify culprits. Reports also claim that miscreants garlanded bust with slippers. Outrd by incident, cadres from several organizations have std a protest demanding arrest of those guilty.

READ | Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Says Periyar Worked For Social Justice

For DMK, Periyar is a significant figure who led anti-caste movement in state, paving way for party’s ideological platform. desecration of Periyar statues is however t new and has been reported in various districts across Tamil Nadu by right-wing elements and fringe groups for over two years.

DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned desecration and took to Twitter to point out that leader was disrespected through saffron paint. “On Periyar’s birthday, BJP state president L Murugan said that y have hesitation in ackwledging efforts taken by Periyar with respect to social justice. Is this respect y wanted to show?” she asked.

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BJP chief ackwledges Periyar's contributions

Tamil Nadu BJP President L Murugan had on Thursday hailed contributions of rationalist E V Ramasamy "Periyar" to social justice and said he has hesitation in extending its greetings on occasion of late leader's 142nd birth anniversary.
"We extend our greetings to everyone. re is second opinion that Periyar slogged for social justice. We have hesitation in extending our greetings to him," he told reporters here.

He was responding to a question on his party accusing DMK of t greeting people on "Ganesh Chaturthi" and why he has t extended his "greetings" on anniversary of late leader, who founded Dravida Kazhagam, an ideological inspiration for Dravidian parties, including ruling AIADMK and DMK.

READ | Saffron Paint Daubed On Periyar's Statue; Parties Protest

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