Tamil Nadu: BJP local leaders arrested in Mettupalayam following Islamists? complaints, leaders allege partiality by police

Based on the complaints from the SDPI, local Jamaat and other Muslim groups the Mettupalayam police on 31st January arrested BJP state working committee member S Kalayanaraman, Coimbatore north district president of BJP Jagannathan and party’s divisional secretary Satish Kumar for their alleged comments against the Islamic community and the prophet Mohammad.

On 26th SDPI took out a tractor rally in support farmers’ protest. In that, one of the SDPI members had dressed as Prime Minister Modi. A man with a stick asked the cadre to do things like begging with a bowl. This video which went viral shocked the BJP cadres and nationalists. Complaints were filed, but the police took no action.

Coimbatore BJP organized a protest on Sunday (31st) in which Kalyanaraman who was the former National Secretary of BJP and others took part. When the protest was on, SDPI, PFI and Muslim groups came to the site and objected to the BJP protest. Police gave permission to the BJP to hold the protest. The SDPI and others started pelting stones at the BJP cadres. Additional Police forces were deployed following this skirmish between BJP and SDPI workers. By the time, more members of the Muslim community gathered there. They raised slogans against Kalyanaraman and BJP. I

n a video that was doing rounds from the protest event, Kalyanaraman making claims that Hindus in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad had bunkers to hide due to attacks from Muslims. This fear vanished in 2002 after the Godra riots. Kalayanaraman also reportedly had questioned the manhood of Mohammed Nabi (he had made the same statements in the past also and was arrested in 2016). He explained how he got bail and quoted the order of the court which said expressing opinions on religious aspects based on an individual’s knowledge of the subject does not amount to blasphemy. The Muslims and BJP cadres allegedly clashed with each other. Police arrested 30 people in this connection after using mild force to chase away the protestors. There were tense moments in Coimbatore and Mettupalayam. Muslim groups held protests in other parts of the state demanding severe action against them on Monday.

The Muslims who were heard his comments on their prophet lodged complaints with the police saying his speech was condemnable and would incite violence in the area. The local Jamaat said in its complaint that the speeches and comments of three BJP leaders were hurting religious sentiments of their community. Police sources said they have not made any specific incident or speech but merely pointed out these three leaders are habitual offenders and are known for their communally charged statements. The police has slapped several sections u/s 147 (rioting) 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapons) 149 (unlawful assembly), 504, 506(2) 153(a) and153 (b) of IPC.

BJP national secretary H Raja said when lyrist Vairamuthu made disparaging comments on saint Andal the police is yet to arrest him. The arrest of Kalayanaraman is one-sided and condemnable. Like him many leaders pointed out, “the TN police never takes action against Hindu phobic and Hindu haters. VCK leader Thirumavalavan said all women are sex workers, temple towers have sex figurines, Hindu temples should be demolished to make way for Buddha Viharam is yet to be touched by long are of law. Police are yet to initiate actions against MK Stalin, Veeramani, Kanimozhi, Karuppar Kottam for their comments on Hindus, Hindu gods and their traditions and customs. Evangelist Mohan C Lazrus who described Hindu gods as Satan is yet to be questioned. Bishop Ezra Sargunam who hurled abusive remarks against PM Modi said there is no religion called Hinduism, punch on their (Hindus) face let them bleed, very mention of word Hindus is making burning sensation. He is still roaming free. They reminded that Hindus too have freedom expression and speech. It is not the sole prerogative of Minorities and atheists. Muslims leaders who made an open threat to PM Modi and Amit Shah are not arrested”.

Indu Makkal Katchi leader Arjune Sampath, in a statement, demanded the immediate release of Kalayanaraman and others. He condemned the posters of SDPI and PFI at Mettupalayam and Coimbatore. He said, “The Islamic fundamentalist and terror outfits deliberately wanted to foment communal clashes. With that intention, they came to the protest venue and created ruckus at the protest venue. Police did not stop them from hurling stones and wooden logs but were begging them to go away. But due to the pressure from Muslim groups, the police arrested three BJP leaders while they were having their dinner at a BJP cadre’s home. The police did not arrest the SDPI and PFI cadre who depicted Modi in poor light, due to which BJP protested. This partial attitude of the police should end. If they are not released we will stage protests for their release”.