Two senior functionaries of the district unit of the Hindu Munnani (HM) have been booked for allegedly making inflammaory speech in the district.
According to police, department sources, Sivapugazhi, the Coimbatore district north president of Hindu Munnani and Manokaran, state speaker of the party, allegedly made inflammatory remarks on September 11 at a public meeting organised near Karamadai bus stand as part of preparations for the Vinayaka Chathurthi processions.
After the public meeting, rallies were scheduled to be held later in the evening on the same day.
Police sources said that totally eight persons addressed the meeting.
Of these speakers, two members of the Hindu Munnani delivered speeches inciting communal passion at the public meeting which was attended by over 100 persons. These persons had assembled to take part in the procession as well.
A case had been booked against the two functionaries at the Karamadai police station. The two have been charged under sections 153(a) for promoting enmity between two religious groups, as well as 295 (a) for making a deliberate attempt to outrage religious feelings and also 124 (a), for inciting hatred or disaffection towards the government.
A police official said that both the functionaries have gone into hiding after cases were booked against them. A manhunt has been launched to nab the two party functionaries.
However, according to police department sources, there was no immediate tension in the locality after the hate speeches delivered by the two functionaries of the Hindu Munnani.
The Vinayaka Chathurthi idol procession which was taken out in the area was also held peacefully and as planned in the area.