The Hindu : Elangovan seeks President's rule

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 10, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Elangovan seeks President's rule

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI NOV. 9. The TNCC working president, E.V.K.S. Elangovan, has demanded immediate dismissal of the ``tyrannical'' AIADMK Government and imposition of President's rule in the State.

In a statement here, he said the Assembly incidents on November 7 had shocked the people of Tamil Nadu. Besides the arrest of Parithi Ilamvazhithi, DMK MLA, the House had sentenced six journalists, belonging to The Hindu and Murasoli, to imprisonment. This was unprecedented. The Government had buried democratic norms long ago and the latest incidents only confirmed this. During the freedom struggle, The Hindu carried news, which were against British rulers. Even during that period, the rulers did not perpetrate atrocities against the newspaper like the one it faced today, he said.

The Congress would take part in the human chain protest being organised in the State on November 12 against the "dictatorial attitude" of the Government. He would take part in the agitation in Erode.

Several more political parties and organisations have condemned the Assembly decision. The spokesman of the Indian National League, K.M. Nizamuddin, described the action as "murder of democracy."

The president of the Makkal Tamil Desam, S. Kannappan, and B.S. Gnanadesikan, MP, expressed solidarity with journalists. The president of the Republican Party of India, S. Arunkumar, said the sentence should be withdrawn.

"Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." The AIADMK had proved this saying beyond doubt, Ushodaya Publications, publishers of Eenadu, said.

The Madurai-Kamaraj-Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Teachers Association condemned the "highhanded action" of the Tamil Nadu Police in unequivocal terms.

The Tamil Nadu Press and Media Reporters Union, the Committee to save the life of Nepali revolutionary leader, C.P. Gajurel, and the All-India Insurance Employees Association have also condemned the attack on freedom of the Press.

The All-India Bank Employees Association secretary, C.H. Venkatachalam, expressing resentment over ``unwarranted attacks'' on the freedom of the Press, said bank employees would participate in the human chain programme.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Action not scripted by CM: Speaker

`Deafening silence in Speaker's statement'

`The Hindu's detailed report to Centre soon'

Full text of Speaker's statement

Withdraw Assembly order: journalists

It is a conspiracy: Bardhan

DMK, CPI (M) seek people's support for human chain

Vaiko, 8 other MDMK men observe fast in jail

No scope for third front with AIADMK, says Bardhan

CM, Speaker intolerant to criticism: Chidambaram

Elangovan seeks President's rule