BJP, VCK cadre clash in Central districts

Trouble started when the BJP conducted a state-wide protest against VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, taking objections to his reported controversial remarks on Hindu temples. The BJP cadre demanded the arrest of Thirumavalavan.

When the BJP protest was on at Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam under the leadership of party’s state secretary S Agoram, some unidentified persons started pelting stones at the agitators. Three BJP cadre sustained injuries in the attack. Police rushed and secured as many as 10 VCK men, including a VCK functionary Velu Prabakaran. Subsequently, a case has been registered against them.

As the information of VCK cadre arrest spread, many gathered on Sirkazhi-Mayiladuthurai Road and blocked it for nearly an hour. They charged that the BJP functionaries were using foul language against their party chief. They also demanded the police to arrest the BJP cadre for hate speech.

Similarly, in Perambalur, the BJP cadre led by the SC wing district president Suresh Kumar staged a protest. A section of VCK cadre led by district secretary C Tamil Manickam raised slogans against the BJP.

A clash between the two party cadre occurred and they exchanged blows. Police intervened and arrested some VCK cadre.

In Karur too, the VCK men pelted stones at the BJP cadre, alleging remarks against Thiruma’s caste. Police intervened.

The BJP cadre in Madurai on Monday demanded the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department to file a complaint against Thirumavalavan for his comments against Hindu temples.

At a protest in Madurai against Thirumavalavan, who had recently said that Hindu temples should be razed down to construct Buddha vihars Vetrivel, National Executive Committee member of the BJP, said “Thirumavalavan has no rights to speak about Hindu temples and the state police should book him under the National Security Act.”