The Chennai police on Sunday banned the Dravidar Kazhagam’s ‘Thali’ removal and beef-eating festivals scheduled for April 14 at the Periyar Thidal, apprehending disturbance to public order and hurt to sentiments of a community.
The events were called for by DK president K. Veeramani at a public meeting last month as retaliation to the attack on a television channel that had proposed to telecast a debate on the relevance of 'Thali' in a modern society.
In a statement here, Mr. Veeramani said the DK will approach the courts for a legal remedy to the ban.
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The order issued by the police said there was already an existing order under the Tamil Nadu City Police Act banning all forms of public protests between April 9 and April 24. Though the law says permission could be given to protests despite ban if proper approval is sought, the DK had approached the police for consent.
In the meantime, about 25 complaints from Hindu organisations and individuals were received by the police against the events and had sought a ban claiming it hurt their sentiments. The DK on the other hand had invited the public to participate in both the events.
The order said some had already approached the High Court seeking a direction to arrest Mr. Veeramani for calling for such events. The court had said the complainants can approach the relevant police station and if there was prima facie, action could be initiated according to law. In consequence, cases were registered under various sections of the IPC including 153 (A), 295 (A), 505 (i) (b) (c) and 505 (2).
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Therefore, apprehending that the Thali removal and beef-eating festivals might invoke enmity between groups and disturb public peace and since the DK had not approached the police formally for permission, the events were being banned.
No political support
While sources in the DK said they expected the order banning the event, they were a little unsure why no mainstream political party had come out in support of the events.
“Even the Dravidian parties have remained silent. We hope they at least come out against this ban if not in support of the Thali removal programme. Such events have been conducted for decades now and we have not faced such a situation in the recent years,” a leader said.