'Nakkheeran' Gopal’s arrest: VCK, CPM condemn action

“This should be the first time in the country that a journalist has been arrested based on a complaint from the Governor’s office. The incident had set a bad precedent in the State”, said VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, while addressing the media after the arrest of Gopal earlier. 

“The case is a blatant lie that Nakkheeran Gopal tried to attack the Governor and the case filed under section 124 of Indian Penal Code is a fake case,” said Thirumavalavan.

CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan, in his statement, said, “The arrest of Nakkheeran Gopal raises suspicion that the state government is trying to cover up the truth in the Nirmala Devi issue and her connection with Governor Banwarilal Purohit.”

Nakkheeran had been publishing articles about the Nirmala Devi matter and in a specific case, wrote about the meeting that happened between Nirmala Devi and Governor Banwarilal Purohit. The arrest shows that people in power did not like the  Governor being linked in the issue and it should be seen as a threat to the freedom of press, said Balakrishnan. 

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Tuesday condemned the arrest of Nakkheeran Gopal, stating that such an act is an attack on democracy.

Kamal said that in an atmosphere where ordinary citizens are not allowed to express their views freely, the onus is on the media to speak the truth. He said the arrest was stifled the freedom of press and democracy.

He accused the government of misusing British-era laws to attack anyone who criticised the state and thereby deny the rights of the people. He added that the media has a responsibility towards democracy and the arrest was against the principles of democracy.