MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P. Nedumaran, Periyar Dravida Kazhagam leader Viduthalai Rajendran and CPI cadre were arrested on Wednesday when they tried to take out a procession towards the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission, demanding its closure.
They were later remanded to judicial custody. They have been charged under the provisions of Section 153 (A) (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and various other sections of the IPC and 7 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
Mr Vaiko and other leaders assembled near the Nageswara Rao Park as they were not allowed to hold the protest in front of the office of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner.
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“We cannot allow the Deputy High Commission to function since the Sri Lankan Government is not respecting the United Nations and working against the interests of the Tamils. The Sri Lankan Navy is attacking the Tamil fishermen,” Mr.Vaiko said.
Wondering why India was turning a blind eye to the Sri Lankan situation when the international body had come down on the government, Mr. Vaiko said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's betrayal of Tamils could not be covered up by the World Classical Tamil conference.
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Mr. Nedumaran said if the Sri Lankan government did not allow the United Nations fact-finding team, it should expel Sri Lanka from its General Assembly.
CPI State secretary D. Pandian said if unchecked, the Sri Lankan Navy would not hesitate to enter into Rameswaram and attack the fishermen.