Ramnathpuram. The Blatant anti-Hindu attitude of a section of TN police force created an ugly situation in Devipattinam of Ramanathapuram Districts where the Pranta Baithhak of Dakshin Tamilnadu began on June 14. Even while the 400 RSS Karyakartas who attended the baithhak were reciting sangh prarthana, they were arrested. There was no provocation at all. The police force which indulged in the uncannily act was led by DSP Annamalai.
The arrests were made when sangha prarthana was in progress. Among the arrested were All India Executive member Sethu Madhavan Ji, Kshetra Karyavah S.Rajendran Ji, Kshetra Pracharak Stanumalayan Ji, Kshetra Seva Pramuk PadmaKumar.etc. Later all the karyakartas were released.
The news spread and in half a dozen districts across the state spontaneous demonstrations were held against the unprovoked arrest of RSS Karyakartas. The police freed over 1000 swayamsevaks immediately after registering cases under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
In Ramnathpuram, the protesters, led by BJP district president K. Shanmugaraja, demanded action against the police officers who made the arrests and withdrawal of the cases filed against the swayamsevaks.
Addressing the protesters, senior BJP leader D. Kuppuramu said the police action was not an isolated incident, but part of a larger conspiracy to prevent Hindu outfits from carrying out their activities in the pilgrims centres of Devipattinam, Thirupullani and Rameswaram in the district.
BJP State vice-president Suba Nagarajan and national council member K. Muraleedharan said it was regrettable that the police had arrested the swayamsevak when they had gone to the seashore for offering prayers for the welfare of the nation.
In Tiruchi, VHP State secretary T. Guhan said it was a common practice for RSS volunteers to assemble for a yoga programme at any place. It was being conducted for peace and harmony. Since it was not an agitation, the organiser did not have to get permission. Furthermore, the shakha was held in a private place.
