In a significant development, the Trichy police, operating under the administration of the DMK Government, have detained Sowdha Mani, the State Secretary of the BJP’s media wing in Tamil Nadu. The arrest comes in response to a video shared on social media by Mani, purportedly showing schoolgirl students consuming alcohol alongside pickles, with no apparent remorse, all captured through a phone camera.
This latest incident underscores a pattern of the DMK-led Government’s law enforcement taking action against individuals for contentious social media content. Notably, in July 2022, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) issued an apology after inadvertently sharing a video that allegedly fueled religious discord.
Sowdha Mani, a Tamil Nadu BJP official, has become embroiled in legal proceedings after sharing a video on social media regarding the demolition of Hindu temples in the state. The video alleged that only Hindu temples were being demolished in Tamil Nadu under court orders for encroachment removal, while other religious institutions on encroached land remained untouched.
The controversy erupted when a man posted information about a church encroachment and questioned why the government did not take action against it, despite citing a court order. He purportedly criticized a court judgment as well. Mani shared the video with a quote, “Courage? For Vidiyal?” Vidiyal, meaning sunrise, was used as a campaign tagline by the DMK party during elections, symbolizing promises of better times upon their ascension to power.
Despite not directly targeting the DMK government or the judiciary in her post, legal action was taken against Mani. However, no action has been reported against the individual who created the original video. Authorities seized Mani’s phone, which was later returned after a legal battle. Additionally, she obtained anticipatory bail amidst the ongoing legal proceedings. Further developments regarding this case remain awaited.
Amidst accusations of biased enforcement, the Tamil Nadu police have arrested Sowdha Mani, a BJP activist, on charges of spreading rumors and inciting communal unrest via social media platforms. The arrest, conducted by the Cybercrime Police in Tiruchirapalli, also known as Trichy, follows a complaint filed by A K Arun, the Trichy district coordinator of the DMK’s IT wing.
Critics allege a pattern of selective targeting by the DMK-led government, with opposition activists, particularly those affiliated with the BJP and other right-wing groups, facing legal action for their social media posts criticizing the ruling party, the Chief Minister, and his family, as well as other left-wing outfits and minorities. However, individuals making hate speeches against Hindutva, Hinduism, BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have reportedly remained untouched.
Moreover, concerns have been raised over the timing and manner of these arrests, often occurring during midnight or in the early hours, likened to the apprehension of terrorists or anti-social elements. Critics argue that the same zeal displayed in arresting political opponents is not evident in pursuing cases such as the Vengaivayal incident, where human excrement was allegedly mixed in a water tank serving the Dalit community, or in apprehending international drug kingpins like Jaffer Sadiq, a former DMK NRI wing functionary who remains at large.
The arrest of Sowdha Mani adds to the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of expression and the impartiality of law enforcement in Tamil Nadu, prompting further scrutiny of the government’s handling of dissenting voices on social media platforms.
In his complaint, A K Arun alleged that Sowdha Mani shared a video on March 4 depicting underage girls in school uniform consuming a liquid presumed to be liquor. Mani accompanied the video with commentary expressing distress over the potential impact on the nation’s future. Furthermore, she criticized the governance model in Tamil Nadu, attributing the availability of liquor and drugs to the Dravidian government. Arun claimed that Mani’s post aimed to disrupt societal harmony, instill fear in children, and tarnish the Government’s reputation.
Critics argue that Sowdha Mani’s statements in her post reflect factual concerns raised by Prime Minister Modi and Annamalai regarding the escalating drug abuse issue in Tamil Nadu, with reports of daily seisures of large quantities of narcotics. Annamalai previously remarked that Chennai had become a hub for ganja distribution. The prompt action taken by the police on complaints from the DMK IT wing has raised questions about their allegiance. Notably, all arrests have been initiated based on complaints from DMK IT wing members.
Sowdha Mani, a member of the BJP’s state executive committee since 2017, has a history of legal troubles related to her social media activity. Previously, she was arrested and later released on bail for sharing a video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) containing similar allegations of inciting religious discord. With a diverse background spanning teaching, news anchoring, and entrepreneurship, her arrest has become a subject of significant debate in political and social spheres.
Accusing the ruling DMK government of targeting opposition leaders since assuming power in 2021, Sowdha Mani’s actions are countered by the DMK, which accuses the BJP of leveraging social media to stoke religious tensions. Currently unavailable for comment as her phone is switched off, reports indicate that Sowdha Mani has been presented in court and remanded to judicial custody. It is noted that in the past, she remained incarcerated for months awaiting legal proceedings.
Despite criticisms, figures like 2G scam accused DMK leader A Raja have faced minimal repercussions for their derogatory remarks against Hindus, Bhagwan Ram, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, and others, highlighting a perceived disparity in legal enforcement.
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