Rajinikanth takes to Twitter to flay attack on cops during IPL match

“The worst form of violence in a law and order situation is the attack on uniformed personnel on duty. This form of violence has to be tackled immediately as it poses grave danger to our country. We need more stringent laws to punish the perpetrators of attack on police personnel on duty,” Rajinikanth tweeted along with a 23-second video of an officer on duty being manhandled by agitators.

However, the actor did not name anyone. The three were allegedly shoved and attacked by protesters near the Chepauk stadium where the IPL cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders was held on Tuesday amid protests. 

The call to boycott the IPL match between the hosts and Kolkata Knight Riders saw intense protests on roads leading to the venue. Despite heavy police deployment, videos emerged online of protesters confronting fans on their way to watch the match, demanding that they remove their CSK jerseys. The reason for the attack on the policemen and the identity of the assailants were not known, though they were believed to be members of a pro-Tamil organisation. 

Rajinikanth had earlier called for the players of Chennai Super Kings to wear black arm bands or badges to highlight the distress faced by the people of Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water row. The opposition by pro-Tamil outfits to the IPL matches was on the ground that the game would divert the attention of the youth from the Cauvery issue and lessen the impact of the state-wide agitation.

The actor found unlikely support from state Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar while BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan too welcomed Rajinikanth’s tweet. Jayakumar said, “Violence cannot be accepted whatever be the reason. Rajinikanth’s comments that violence should be nipped in the bud is welcome.” Tamilisai Soundararajan said the actor’s comments against the violence unleashed by the Cauvery protesters was commendable. 

However, the actor’s comments drew flak from film personalities and outfits who took part in the protest. Besides, leaders of opposition parties also condemned the police assault on protesters. 

Coming down strongly on Rajinikanth, MLA Thamimun Ansari accused him of diverting the Cauvery protests and asked why he did not condemn the police assault on protesters. “Is he enacting a drama to satisfy Kannadigas? Where was he when a policeman brutally assaulted a pregnant lady Usha in Tiruchy?” Ansari asked. 

CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan said the IPL organisers did not understand the sentiments of people and were adamant in holding the match. He said the police had attacked the protesters who raised slogans for Cauvery. 

Dravida Kazhagam president K Veeramani said Tamil youth, parties and film personalities were protesting against the holding of the IPL match which is nothing but gambling, at a time when people are protesting for Cauvery.