Political leaders cutting across party lines strongly condemned the arrest of Tamil magazine Nakkheeran ’ s editor and publisher R.R. Gopal on Tuesday.
DMK president M.K. Stalin and MDMK general secretary Vaiko questioned why actor-politician S.Ve. Shekher and the BJP’s H. Raja had not been arrested for making disparaging remarks about women journalists, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) officials and the judiciary.
“This arrest raises the question whether we are in a democratic country or [under] a fascist regime,” Mr. Stalin told mediapersons after meeting Mr. Gopal when the latter was taken to a hospital for a medical check-up.
“Why didn’t the government file any case against H. Raja? He used foul language against HR&CE staff and spoke about breaking [social reformer] Periyar’s statue. Under this government, there is one rule that applies to the BJP and another to the opposition and the press,” Mr. Stalin alleged. He warned the State government that if the case against Mr. Gopal was not withdrawn, it would have to face “dire consequences”.
Mr. Vaiko was stopped outside the Chintadripet police station when he went there to meet Mr. Gopal. The MDMK leader was detained by the police and released later in the evening after the Egmore Court rejected the remand request for Mr. Gopal. Slamming the State government, he said the release of the Nakkheeran editor was a “slap in the face of the Governor’s office”. “The State government is dancing to the tune of the Governor and the Centre,” he alleged.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss wondered in what way Mr. Gopal had interfered and obstructed the Governor from carrying out his duties.
CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan and VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan said it [Mr. Gopal’s release] was a victory for democracy.
Taking a different view, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran said there was nothing wrong in the arrest of Mr. Gopal.
Published - October 10, 2018 01:07 am IST
