Hindu outfit leader in soup after Facebook post on puja for guns

Arjun Sampath posted the picture on Monday shortly after performing Ayoodha Pooja for the weapons. It went viral in the social media and attracted strong criticisms. Over the last two days various organisations petitioned the city police commissioner here seeking action against the IMK founder. 

On Wednesday, some outfits petitioned the police seeking action against him for possession of deadly weapons in his home. They also submitted copies of the picture taken from his Facebook page.

A senior police officer said that one of the guns in that picture was that of a policeman on guard at Sampath’s house. The officer said that it was an offence as a policeman was responsible for his weapon and cannot hand it over to anyone. The officer termed it an act of negligence of the policeman. Commissioner of Police A Amalraj said that the Deputy Commissioner of the Armed Reserve unit has been asked to conduct an inquiry into this incident as the policeman whose gun was seen in the controversial picture is attached to the armed reserve unit.

Arjun Sampath felt that there was nothing wrong in performing pujas or for sharing it on the social media. “It is part of our culture. I am against use for arms for violence,” he said and added that he removed it on Monday as it had attracted lot of adverse remarks.

He added that the swords were gifted to him by his party cadre during various functions over the years. “The two air guns in the picture belong to my sons who are members of the Coimbatore Rifle Club. They use it for practising,” he said and added that he would face the issue legally. “I will also make a representation to the police seeking action against persons trying to tarnish my image by falsely depicting me as a person against minorities,” he added. 

Arjun Sampath has been booked under sections 153(A) (creating enmity between two religious groups) of the Indian Penal Code and 25(1)(a) (exhibiting arms without obtaining license from the authority concerned) of the Indian Arms Act.