Taking strong exception to the arrest of Tamil folk song artist Kovan alias Sivadass on charges of sedition, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko, on Saturday, recited a few lines of the anti-liquor song of Kovan in Tiruchi and dared the State police to arrest him. A day after the singer was arrested for rendering an anti-liquor sale song in which he allegedly lampooned Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, political party leaders cutting across the spectrum and activists strongly condemned the Chennai police’s action.
Kovan’s arrest was the focal point at a demonstration in front of the Tiruchi Collectorate organised by the constituents of People Welfare Front (PWF) such as MDMK, CPI (M), CPI and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal (VCK) to condemn the Sangh Parivar and Hindutva organisations for their stand on ban on beef eating and attack on Dalits and minorities.
Reciting a few lines of the controversial song, Mr. Vaiko said there could be nothing wrong in creating awareness against the ill effects of alcohol, which had ruined the life of large number of youngsters and workers. “I am reciting the same song. If the State police have guts, let them arrest me on the same charge,” he said.
Meanwhile demanding the singer’s release, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, in a Facebook post, said, “This is one of the best examples to show how the Jayalalithaa government strangles democracy in Tamil Nadu.”
Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam leader Vijayakant accused the State of trying to shut down democratic protests. “The people of Tamil Nadu will give fitting reply to the government soon,” he said.
EVKS Elangovan, president of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, said that the action of the State government comes in the wake of the growing intolerance of the BJP government in the centre. “Nationally, intellectuals, writers and rationalists are coming under attack from RSS and other affiliates of the Sangh Parivar. They are returning the awards to the state. By arresting the folk singer, the Tamil Nadu government has shown its intention to murder free speech,” he charged.
Referring to Kovan’s arrest, PMK’s founder Dr. S. Ramadoss said in a statement that humanity cannot be expected from a government that sells liquor. G. Ramakrishnan, state secretary of CPI (M), called for the release of Kovan and let go off cases filed against him. “In a democracy, there must always be space for an alternative thought. AIADMK has constantly refused to accept this rule,” he said.
Tamilisai Soundarrajan, president of TN BJP, questioned the arrest of the folk singer even as she insisted that freedom of speech and expression must be used responsibility.
Tamil Manila Congress leader G.K. Vasan urged the government to have a relook at the sedition charges filed against the folk singer.
The president of Dravidar Kazhagam, K. Veeramani, asked what could possibly be seditious about speaking against consumption and sale of liquor. Civil rights groups also criticised the arrest. In a statement, People’s Union For Democratic Rights said, “The action of the Tamil Nadu police is self-defamatory as it shows the government’s utter lack of credibility in being unable to withstand popular dissent against its patronage of the liquor trade in the state.”
