Periyar statue in Coimbatore vandalized as saffron paint thrown on it.
Periyar Dravida Kazhagam members gathered near the statue and staged a protest, police to guard the statue.
On Friday early morning, In Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district, Dravidian ideologue and social activist Periyar EV Ramasamy’s statue situated in Sundarampuram was vandalized by unidentified persons. The statue was dishonored as they splashed the saffron paint on it and ran away.
Political party Periyar Dravida Kazhagam stages a protest near the vandalized Periyar statue:
The political party, Periyar Dravida Kazhagam demanded the arrest of the miscreants behind the act and members of the party gathered near the statue and staged a protest.
Police Inspector assures prompt investigation; statue cleaned and will be guarded by officers:
Senior Police Inspector said that the unfortunate incident took place in the early morning hours when the movement of people is very limited. The inspector assured prompt investigation on the matter and revealed that police officers in protective kits will guard the statue. “As per the complaint we received, the incident took place at around 6 am. Police officers are stationed near the statue to avoid any untoward incident. The statue has been cleaned. We will take action against the miscreants,” stated Kuniamuthu Inspector Sakthivel.
Kanimozhi on Twitter says Periyar is not just a statue but the path to self-respect:
Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi condemned the incident on her Twitter handle and reiterated Periyar’s teachings. Kanmozhi said that Periyar is still the one who sets the narrative even after decades. Speaking on the progressive and evolved thinking of Periyar, Kanimozhi said that the Periyar statue, which was vandalized by throwing saffron paint, was not just a statue, but the path to social justice and self-respect. This path was also for those who smeared him with colors, stated Kanimozhi.
