‘Hindu Ilaignar Sena’, whose State president Jayam A. Pandian (45) surrendered in a Madurai court, claiming responsibility for the attack on ‘Puthiya Thalaimurai’, is a little-known outfit.
Police sources said the outfit was formed a couple of months ago with a handful of supporters.
Formerly the State youth president of ‘Hindu Makkal Katchi-Tamil Nadu’, Mr. Pandian’s name reportedly figured in a few cases, including one of attacking a police sub-inspector in Madurai.
Police sources said he was once associated with a splinter group of the Hindu Munnani and had later floated his own organisation.
The arrested suspects. Photo: M. Prabhu
In a statement, Mr. Pandian accused Puthiya Thalaimurai of hurting the sentiments of Hindus in the name of freedom of expression. Hindu women considered ‘mangalsutra’ as a sacred possession, he said and urged the government to stop telecast of such controversial programmes. The ‘Hindu Munnani’ sought to distance itself from the ‘Hindu Ilaignar Sena’ and demanded action against those involved in the incident. The organisation said the attack came at a time when the bail plea of 10 of its cadres, held in connection with an alleged assault on the TV channel’s cameraman, was coming up for hearing on Friday.
