Urging the State government to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Tuesday led a demonstration in Chennai where he condemned the recent murders of Infosys employee Swathi and Naveena, a schoolgirl in Villupuram.
Dr. Ramadoss hit out against “progressive” persons who, he said, had a year ago supported Senthil Kumar, a Dalit youth, who had claimed that caste Hindu relatives of Naveena had chopped off one of his hands and legs for falling in love with the girl. It later turned out that an inebriated Senthil had lost his limbs after falling from a moving train. Senthil had set fire to himself and embraced Naveena, who had spurned his love, eventually leading to her death.
The PMK leader urged the government to pay a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of Naveena. While the protest was against AIADMK’s alleged failure to make streets safe for women, the speakers on stage, who were picked from various intermediate castes and forward community launched a veiled attack on VCK and its president, Thol. Thirumavalavan. PMK president G.K. Mani, who spoke of how boys from a “certain community” are harassing women for personal and financial gains, said that Dr. Ramadoss will fight to protect the dignity and life of Tamil women. “Young men from a certain community are being instigated by a ‘group’ run by a certain leader to snare girls from well-to-do families for property,” he alleged, adding, “Dr. Ramadoss is not against Dalit community. We are only against some elements instigating young boys.”
Dr. Ramadoss said that a much bigger protest, which will have participation of representatives of all communities, against violence on women will be organised in Chennai soon.
