Members of the students’ wing of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi staged a novel demonstration in Madurai on Thursday protesting against derogatory remarks made by Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S. Ramadoss.
Several students came half-dressed on the road to highlight the PMK leader’s remarks that the Dalit youths were trying to entice young girls of other castes by sporting jeans trousers, t-shirts and sneakers. “In fact, he has belittled the girls of his own caste by claiming that they will fall for this attire. Probably, he (Dr. Ramadoss) does not like Dalit youths wearing such dresses and want us to sport loin cloth. Our protest is to highlight this aspect,” the party’s State deputy general secretary V. Kaniamuthan said.
The protest was also to draw the attention of the State government “that has been keeping silent on all inciting speeches made by Dr. Ramadoss.” He had branded VCK as a violent movement. All his remarks against the Dalits attracted the provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. But, the government had done nothing to prevent him from continuing with instigating speech,” he said.
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The protest was led by party’s district secretary R. Pandiammal.