Tens of thousands of DMK men courted arrest across the State on Wednesday by assembling near government offices as part of the party’s ‘fill-the-jails’ agitation against the alleged foisting of cases and arrests of senior party functionaries by the government. However, they could not fill the prisons as they planned, as they were all released in the evening.
While police sources said over 65,000 DMK workers, including 4,000 women, were taken into custody, a press release from the DMK headquarters gave district-wise figures of those who were arrested and claimed that over two lakh party cadre participated in the State-wide protest.
In Chennai alone, the protest was held in 16 centres and DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin led the agitation in his Kolathur Assembly constituency, while party Rajya Sabha member K. Kanmozhi took part in the protest near Panagal Maligai in Saidapet along with former Mayor Ma. Subramanian. Former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran and actor Kushboo participated in the protest near Chepauk.
All of them were taken into custody along with their supporters.
Even as the agitation was going ahead in various parts of the State, DMK president M. Karunanidhi told reporters at Anna Arivalayam that the participation of partymen was beyond all expectations.
“Though the government tried to discourage the participation of partymen by saying that they would be remanded to judicial custody and they could even be sent to jails in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, they have taken part in the protest with enthusiasm and gusto,” he said. Mr. Karunanidhi said these agitations would not bring any change in the attitude of the ruling party, as their true character had been exposed in the act of renting out the Anna Centenary Library auditorium for marriages and receptions.
In Kolathur, Mr. Stalin said over a lakh partymen had enlisted themselves to participate in the agitation against the vindictive politics of the AIADMK government. “The protest is also to highlight various issues including the hike in the price of milk, bus fare and electricity tariff that have seriously affected the common man,” Mr Stalin said.
Ms. Kanimozhi said the protest was the DMK’s answer to the AIADMK government’s vendetta politics. “It has been indulging in vindictive politics from day one in office and DMK leaders were being arrested without any evidence,” she said.
Asked whether agitation had also provided an opportunity for the DMK for soul searching as many DMK leaders “went too far” in their activities when the party was in power, she said it was not a moment for soul searching for her party.
“It is time for soul-searching by the press and public,” he said.
Keywords: DMK jail bharo, jail bharo agitation, Stalin arrest, Kanimozhi arrest, AIADMK government, land grabbing case
It would have been good if DMK organized this protest against anti people Jayalalitha’s Govt (if any). Last 13 months we have not seen any Governance in Tamilnadu & now Tamilnadu is fast becoming laughing stock for other states. “One more mega achievement of Jayalalitha i.e. permitting Star hotels to open Bar 24 x 7.
This is just an exercise meant at making a jail-term seem socially
acceptable, so that party leaders can do what they want, and even if
they are sent to prison, they can still expect to get elected again
after their sentence is over.
Shows how deseperate the DMK is. These are moves to distract the public
from the mess they have put the state into. For DMK all publicity is
good publicity.
Is kanimozhi caring about the general public? If protesting is the only solution, then the whole India should protest against 2G Scandal.
DMK leader Mr.Karunanidhi first announced "Jail Barao"in protest against the "False"cases imposed on their second wrung of "Leaders" in the land grabbing scam rampant during his regime.But fearing backlash from people he inserted Milk and Electricity charges hike to his agenda.Even then he was not sure weather his cadres would take his call seriously.So he enticed them with party postings if they courted arrest.Then also he was in doubt that jails would not be full if the cadre were let off in the same day with personal surity.So he gave a whip that if they are remanded they should not seek bail and should carry two sets of dresses with them.He also wanted that there should be no room for the criticism that his wards were not arrested,and so he compelled his daughter and recouperating son after a cateract operation to participate.
political drama.........!!!! both by the ruling party as well as the opposition party.
What Dmk party done is correct.If they do not do like this, fill the
jail
agitation now, ADMK will not stop these kind of arrest action against
opponent party. I hope ADMK will concentrate on our public issues
hereafter.
From reports we find only so many office bearers of the DMK have
indulged in land grabbing activities using their nexus. Ordinary and
common workers have not indulged. Then why they should court arrest when
the aggrieved persons can take legal route to get relief. Do not they
have faith in the legal system.
I lean towards voting for DMK Vs ADMK due to the experience of Mr. Karunanidhi, Superstar effect, etc. But this agitation is unwarranted and totally false. DMK supported people who were minting money thru the Spectrum scandal and now this. Mr. Karunanidhi somehow pulled strings with PM and Congress High Command to get bail for his daughter. Are they saying that people, who misused their powers should not be punished just because they belong to their party? That's outright wrong. I am sure, because of this, DMK will loose more of their image (if any left) and will suffer very very badly in the polls to come. They are infact helping Ms. Jayalalitha by resorting to such bad tactics. Good for her but all in all, but, not good for common people like me due to these selfish parties.
DMK is once again on negative limelight by protesting for a bad cause. No one from Tamilnadu will support Mr. Veerapandi Arumugam for his atrocious terrorizing governance during his tenure as a state minister. Many district DMK leaders are minting wealth by means of ugly ways are to be educated first. Now DMK should lay its foundation for the development of Tamilnadu not for supporting cheap and dirty politics. Atleast Mr Stalin should take sensible decisions for protecting the credibility of DMK in future and good governance.
There are lot of issues against the people which needs protest by the opposition parties, i dont know why our elder leader took this issue for the protest. This issue doesnt have any public interest
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