Condemning the recent spate of attacks on Periyar statues, MDMK leader Vaiko on Monday urged the Tamil Nadu police to arrest BJP national secretary H. Raja, citing a tweet the BJP leader posted a few weeks ago, saying Periyar statues would be brought down in the State.
Mr. Raja has since claimed that the tweet was posted by the administrator of his Twitter account without his knowledge.
In a statement, Mr. Vaiko questioned why the BJP leader had not been arrested yet for his reported statement which, the MDMK leader claimed, provoked Mr. Raja’s supporters to damage the statues of Periyar. He further referred to the incidents in Thanjavur and Tiruchi districts.
“Why have the police, who arrested legislator Karunas for disturbing public peace, not arrested Mr. Raja? Despite news reports every other day about cases being registered against him, he is said to be attending functions. What else could be more insulting to the Tamil Nadu police?” Mr. Vaiko asked.
DK warns of protests
Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani also questioned why Mr. Raja had not been arrested. “Why is there one law for Karunas [the MLA who was arrested over a provocative speech] and one law for Raja?” he asked, and warned of protests if no action was taken against the BJP leader.
Meanwhile, the Central Crime Branch on Monday filed a criminal case against Mr. Raja for making derogatory remarks against AIADMK MP A. Arunmozhidevan.
