The controversy regarding the installation of the flag pole began two weeks ago, on October 20, when the DMK regime, with the support of a substantial police force, took action to remove a 45-foot-tall BJP party flag pole that was set up in front of Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai’s residence in Panaiyur, located on the ECR road. The operation was allegedly conducted to appease minority Muslim groups who objected to the presence of a BJP flag pole in their area.
The DMK government’s actions have come under scrutiny due to their selective targeting of BJP flag poles while leaving those of other political parties, including DMK, VCK, and Muslim organisations, untouched. This has raised concerns of a vindictive and retaliatory agenda against the BJP.
Following the Panaiyur incident, K Annamalai announced a BJP program in which 100 party flag poles would be erected across the state with a target of 10,000 within 90 days, starting from November 1st. Accordingly, party workers began attempting to install new flag poles and replace old, rusted ones, or raise flags on existing poles. These actions did not sit well with the ruling DMK, which promptly ordered the police to remove the newly erected flag poles.
On November 1, the police arrested more than 1,550 BJP members in connection with the party’s flag pole installation initiative. In Coimbatore, over 100 BJP workers, including the district president Uthamaramaswamy and state vice president Prof. Kangasabapathi, were detained for attempting to erect a flagpole at Masakalipalayam without official permission.
The police argued that the BJP functionaries had attempted to install flagpoles without the requisite permissions. In many instances, the police allegedly behaved autocratically by not responding to the cadres’ questions regarding the legitimacy of their actions. Instead of clarifying doubts and providing legal grounds, the police warned that flag poles would be removed and arrests would follow. In some cases, BJP members were denied the opportunity to replace worn-out, rusted poles with new ones.
Annamalai’s Condemnation of Arrests and Autocratic Nature of DMK Government
K Annamalai, in response to the government’s actions, condemned the DMK for arresting BJP party workers attempting to hoist flag poles and display the BJP flag at various locations across the state. He voiced his concerns on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), highlighting that BJP workers faced obstacles in erecting flag poles even in places where other political parties had already done so.
Annamalai accused the DMK of displaying a “fascist face” by preventing the BJP from installing flag poles in areas where other parties had already done so. He asserted that the DMK, despite its 75-year presence in politics since its inception in 1949, seemed to be apprehensive of the hard work put in by BJP workers, suggesting that the DMK’s fear would persist indefinitely.
Call for Resolution and Fairness
As the situation escalates and arrests continue, many are calling for a peaceful resolution to the controversy and a more equitable approach to flagpole installations by political parties in Tamil Nadu.
தமிழகம் முழுவதும், பாஜக கொடிக்கம்பம் அமைத்துக் கொடியேற்ற முயன்ற @BJP4Tamilnadu தலைவர்களும், சகோதர சகோதரிகளும் கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளனர். திமுக அரசின் இந்த அதிகார அத்துமீறலை வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்கிறேன்.
மற்ற கட்சிகளின் கொடிக் கம்பங்கள் அமைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் இடங்களில் கூட, பாஜக… pic.twitter.com/TCdODqlGn3
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) November 1, 2023
K Annamalai, the TN BJP Chief, has voiced concerns over the excessive police intervention in the party’s flag pole installations. Speaking to the media, he emphasised that an overbearing police presence could inadvertently aid criminal activities while endangering law and order. He asserted that the party would not be deterred from raising flags on rooftops, fitting them on cars and other vehicles, or carrying them by hand. Annamalai accused the DMK government of attempting to erase the BJP’s image from the public’s minds by selectively removing party flag poles, leaving those of other political parties untouched. This, he said, is condemnable.
Amidst the escalating tension, a BJP delegation met with the Corporation Commissioner to request official approval for the erection of new party flag poles.
In Tiruchi, BJP cadres staged a road roko, defying police orders, resulting in their arrests. In Thiruvannamalai, BJP workers protested in front of the police station after Arani policemen confiscated party flag poles.
It’s worth noting that in the past, both the BJP and other political parties, including DMK and AIADMK, have erected thousands of party flag poles on public lands without proper authorization. This typically involved installing a pole, constructing a raised platform, and gradually encroaching upon adjacent land for purposes like free tuition centres or reading rooms. Over time, these encroachments often evolved into full-fledged buildings. Notably, DMK allies, including VCK, left parties, PMK, and Naam Tamizhar Katchi, have similarly displayed their party flags on public property without official approval, often relying on their political clout to do so.
According to BJP State Vice-President Karu Nagarajan, the party has placed 42 flag poles in Chennai on November 1. He emphasised that their efforts are focused on flag pole placements within the city and clarified that they are not targeting new venues. Instead, the BJP installs flag poles in locations where various party flag poles are already present, including near the residences of party workers. Regarding official permission, Nagarajan mentioned that the party intends to meet with the Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation to address the matter.
In a related development, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Madras High Court, seeking a directive to the Home Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) to remove all unauthorised party poles erected on public roads and other locations. The PIL also calls for preventive measures to stop the future erection of such unauthorised flag poles.
The situation continues to evolve, with legal action and political protests highlighting the ongoing debate over the installation of party flag poles in Tamil Nadu.
