Protests against the controversial American film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ continued for the fourth day on Monday, with cadre of the Jananayaga Muslim Munettra Kazhagam (JMMK) agitating on Anna Salai near Tarapore Towers and members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi staging a demonstration outside Chepauk Palace.
Protestors raised slogans against US President Barack Obama and threw footwear at his pictures. An attempt to burn his effigy was, however, stopped by the police, who were deployed in large numbers in the area.
A posse of police personnel was stationed near Thousand Lights Mosque and New College as well. “At around 11.30 p.m., cadre of JMMK gathered near Tarapore Towers and threw slippers at Obama’s picture and attempted to burn his effigy. But we prevented them from doing so. In the evening, around 5.15 p.m. 100 Shia Muslims protested on Sardar Jung Road. They were arrested and released later,” said a police source.
Holding placards that called Obama ‘World’s Biggest Devil’, about 300 members of the party vigorously shouted slogans against him.
“The movie has hurt the feelings of millions of Muslims all over the world. The State government must persuade the Centre to insist on an apology from Obama. If the film is not banned and an apology is not issued, we will protest even more violently,” said S.A. Kajah Mohideen, general secretary of JMMK. The party plans to hold a State-wide protest soon if their demands are not met immediately, he added.
Meanwhile, around 300 members of VCK staged a demonstration demanding the ban of the movie and its removal from Google and YouTube. Party leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said, “The film offends the sentiments of Muslims, portraying Prophet Mohammed in very bad light. There is definitely a political motive behind the making of the movie.” Instead of apologising, Mr. Obama has issued a warning against the attacks on US embassies in many countries, he added.
