CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Congress party was guarded and subtle critical in its response to the Supreme Court verdict releasing Perarivalan, one of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K S Alagiri said that the Supreme Court has released Perarivalan citing some legal grounds. “We do not intend to criticize the verdict of the Supreme Court. At the same time, we would like to categorically state that the convicts are murderers and not innocent.
“Some people say that those who committed the murder are Tamils who had spent 25 years in prison and hence they should be released. Hundreds of Tamils are languishing in Tamil Nadu prisons for over 20 years. Why was there no public outcry to release them? Are they not Tamils? Are the people who killed Rajiv only Tamils? Those with Tamil sentiment should respond to this?” said Alagiri, in a statement, announcing a token protest on Thursday to express their sentiments.
The TNCC chief advised his party workers to non-violent protest for an hour from 10 am in prominent places in their respective areas on Thursday, May 19. The protesters will cover their mouths with a white cloth and hold a placard bearing the message, “Let us oppose violence. Murder cannot be a solution to a difference of opinion.”
BJP Tamil Nadu state president, K. Annamalai in a tweet said that he accepted the verdict and added, "At the same time we hope the Supreme Court does not compromise on issues surrounding the nation's security and unity."
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