Former Union Minister and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday expressed regret for the act of his party members who clambered on to the Mamallapuram Shore Temple and hoisted flags of the party and Vanniyar Sangham last week.
He also made it clear that he did not approve of the hate-speech made by some leaders including PMK MLA Kaduvetti J. Guru at the youth festival held in Mamallpuram on the occasion of Chitra Pournami on April 25.
But, he rejected the report of the Superintending Archaeologist that the historical monument was subjected to vandalism and the structure was damaged.
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“Till 5 pm, we could prevent our cadres from entering the heritage site. But, as the police left the spot, our cadres could have entered there,” he told reporters here.
Dr Anbumani said neither the PMK nor the Vanniyar Sangam had anything to do with the Marakkanam violence which, according to him, was stage managed by vested interests that could not digest the success of the youth festival.
He alleged that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had just read out a report in the Assembly prepared by the police. Demanding an inquiry into the Marakkanam incident by a sitting judge of the Madras High Court, Mr Anbumani said Vanniyar families across the State would hoist black flags atop their houses till such an inquiry was ordered.
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“We also will approach the Court if the State government fails to do it,” he said.
Accusing the State government of acting with vendetta against his father and PMK founder S. Ramadoss, he said though the authorities decided to remand him on Tuesday morning, Dr. Ramadoss was made to wait in a hall and produced before a magistrate late in the night, after which he was taken to prison in the early hours of Wednesday.
“Is this the way to treat a senior leader ?” he asked.