Defending the detention of Valarmathi, a postgraduate journalism student of the Periyar University who distributed “objectionable” pamphlets, under the Goondas Act, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday said the all those who instigate other people and try to disrupt law and order in the State will be booked under the Act.
The Chief Minister said that the Goondas Act is not invoked against anyone in the first instance itself, but is necessary when six to seven cases are filed against a person and they try to repeatedly disrupt the law and order.
He was responding to Leader of the Opposition M. K. Stalin, who alleged that the State was using the Goondas Act to clamp down on protests.
The DMK leader asked why the government was filing cases under the Act, especially where environmental issues were concerned and where the BJP was being condemned by the protesters.
Mr. Stalin specifically sought to know why the Goondas Act was used against Ms. Valarmathi, who participated in the Kadiramangalam protests.
Responding, the Chief Minister said six cases were pending against Ms. Valarmathi, and listed out the cases and protests in which she had taken part.
“Valarmathi has been causing disturbance to the public by taking part in various protests, and instigating students to cause trouble; despite cases being filed against her, she has refused to mend her ways and has been disrupting public peace. Hence, on July 17, the Salem police commissioner issued an order to detain her under the Goondas Act,” the Chief Minister claimed.
Mr. Palaniswami said Ms. Valarmathi was kept under preventive detention.
He further asked how a State government can maintain peace, if a person repeatedly foments trouble and tries to hamper law and order.
Hence, in such cases, the Goondas Act will be invoked, he said.
