Congress to extend support to today’s bandh

Leader of Opposition V.Vaithilingam addressing the press conference on Friday. Photo: T. Singaravelou

The main opposition Congress party on Friday extended its support to the bandh call given by political outfits and social organisations. They have called for the dawn-to-dusk bandh on December 20 demanding that the Union and Puducherry governments take over Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Talking to reporters, Leader of Opposition and senior Congress Leader V.Vaithilingam said his party would extend full support to the bandh.

He said, “The death of three women has shocked the people. Even illegal encroachers would be evicted only after providing alternative accommodation to them. The sisters were evicted without providing any alternative accommodation.”

Mr. Vaithilingam said that after evicting them from the Ashram, police should have kept the sisters at special homes. The police, social welfare department and the government failed to discharge their duties.

AIADMK Legislature Party Deputy Leader A.Anbalagan said ever since the Ashram has been functioning with commercial motive, several allegations been leveled against it.

The death of three persons earned a bad name to the Union Territory at the international level.

The government and police should be responsible for the deaths.

Mr. Anbalagan said the Union Home Secretary should come down and enquire into allegations against the Ashram.

Adding that the governments should bring the Ashram under the control, he said a CBI probe should be ordered into deaths of three persons and the failure of police to protect the lives.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam unit organiser M.A.S.Subramanian blamed the police for the failure to protect the three women who lost their lives.

He added that adequate monetary compensation should be paid to the family by the authorities of Ashram. An enquiry by retired high court judge should be conducted into the alleged irregularities of trustees.

Dr. Subramanian also insisted on transparency in selecting trustees to the Ashram. Pattali Makkal Katchi, Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam and Viduthal Chiruthaigal Katchi have extended their support to the bandh.