Minister of Information and Special Schemes Implementation, K.T. Rajendra Balaji, led the AIADMK cadre in protesting Nakkheeran magazine's publication of a “defamatory” article on Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
“The false news article has angered the party cadre. We cannot accept such a defamatory article against the Chief Minister,” he said.
The Minister, who is also the party's district secretary, burnt copies of Nakkheeran at Tiruthangal, Virudhunagar, Aruppukottai, Kariyapatti, Tiruchuli and Mallankinaru. MLAs, R.B. Udhayakumar and K. Gopalsamy, also participated in the protest.
The cadre also burnt the effigies of the magazine editor Nakkheeran Gopal.
Special Correspondent writes from Chennai:
DMK president M. Karunanidhi said that whatever be the derogatory, demeaning and humiliating nature of a media report, resorting to violence for settling scores was not acceptable when legal avenues were available to bring the media to book. Referring to the attack on the office of Nakkheeran by AIADMK activists, he said “They can go to the court and get justice. Attacking mediapersons and media houses is not acceptable in a democracy.”
Protection sought
A copy of a writ petition seeking a direction to the authorities to give protection to his property and staff was served on Advocate-General, A. Navaneethakrishnan, by Nakkheeran Gopal's counsel on Saturday. Mr. Gopal wanted to file the petition before Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal at his residence. That was not entertained, but counsel was asked to serve a copy on the AG, enquiries revealed.
