Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday squarely blamed the PMK and the Vanniyar Sangam for the violence at Marakkanam in Villupuram district on Thursday last ahead of its Chithirai festival at Mahabalipuram and charged that the Sangam had flouted its commitment to the Madras High Court to follow all norms laid down by the police for holding the event.
One of the norms stipulated that the event must end by 10 pm; yet PMK founder S Ramadoss not only addressed the gathering till 11.35 pm, he even said upfront that he would not bother if a case was slapped against him for the delay. “A case has been registered against Ramadoss for neglecting the deadline set for concluding the event. I hope he would accept his fault and welcome the punishment to be awarded by the court,” the CM said while replying to a discussion on a special mention on the issue in the Assembly.
Jayalalithaa said her government would not hesitate to book those who instigate communal violence, under the Goondas Act. She said so far 10 cases have been filed in Villupuram and Kancheepuram districts with regard to the Marakkanam violence and legal action would be taken against the culprits.
Pointing out that the festival organised by the Sangam had a history of creating law and order problems, the CM charged that the participants of the festival at Mahabalipuram had put up inflammatory posters for the event apart from indulging in violence. Stating that Ramadoss has been demanding total prohibition in Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa said, “Contrary to his advise, most of the youth who took part in the festival had come to the event in an inebriated condition and misbehaved.” “Is this is the way Ramadoss is guiding his youth?” she wondered.