Vedic Pundit Sitharaman Sastrigal
In a disturbing turn of events, Sitharaman Sastrigal, the head of Sri Veda Vidhya Pathasala in Kalancheri, Thanjavur district, was brutally attacked just a day after releasing a video urging support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and criticising the ruling Dravidian party, DMK. The assault on Sastrigal underscores a concerning trend of stifling dissent and targeting individuals who express views divergent from the dominant political narrative in Tamil Nadu.
Sastrigal’s video, in which he advocated for defeating the DMK and supporting the BJP in the upcoming elections, drew attention to the perceived failures of the current government and emphasised the need for change. However, his expression of political allegiance quickly escalated into a violent attack.
The incident sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals who dare to express support for parties other than the DMK in Tamil Nadu. The attack on Sastrigal is not only an assault on his freedom of expression but also reflects a deep-seated animosity towards certain communities, particularly Brahmins, Vedic pundits, and Hindus who adhere to Sanatana Dharma.
Following the attack, an FIR was filed by the police, albeit amid allegations of pressure and interference.
In the video, Sitharaman recounts a harrowing ordeal where he was accosted by two individuals while out for a walk. He alleges that they verbally abused him and then proceeded to physically assault him, dragging him into a nearby forest. Sitharaman claims to have captured the incident on his mobile phone, detailing how he was subjected to violence and threatened into silence.
According to Sitharaman, the attackers purportedly justified their actions by claiming they were instructed to issue a warning rather than cause harm.
During the altercation, Sitharaman claimed that the attackers appeared to be police officers, judging by their appearance and demeanour. He alleged that they questioned him disrespectfully before physically assaulting him and forcibly taking him to a secluded area.
Describing the assault, Sitharaman stated that one of the attackers punched his abdomen while another kicked him, leaving him bruised and shaken. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of individuals expressing dissenting political views in Tamil Nadu, where tensions between political factions are running high ahead of the upcoming elections.
Sitharaman, who also runs a gausala and a Vedic school with over 50 students, emphasised the need to stand firm against such acts of violence and intimidation. He urged others not to be afraid and to continue speaking out against what he described as the oppressive tactics of the DMK.
The recent attack on Vedic pundit Sitharaman in Tamil Nadu has sparked widespread outrage just days before the first phase of Lok Sabha polling. Sitharaman’s assault has drawn condemnation from BJP and its allies, with PMK candidate for Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha constituency, MK Stalin, offering his support.
Stalin, accompanied by his supporters, visited Sitharaman and assured him of assistance. They also staged a protest outside the Ammapettai police station, urging action against the attackers. Following pressure from BJP and others, police registered a case against two unidentified men involved in the assault.
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Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) D Ashok Kumar confirmed the registration of the case based on Sitharaman’s complaint. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of individuals expressing political views in the state, particularly as tensions escalate ahead of the elections.
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