Kovan sticks to anti-liquor stand

After coming out of the prison to a rousing reception given by members of Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam on Monday evening, Kovan said that there was nothing wrong in the lyrics written by him and said he had only raised questions towards the government for selling liquor. He said that he would continue to campaign until enforcement of prohibition in the state.

“I am not happy about coming out on bail. I will be happy only when people are liberated from evils of liquor. Women and children undergo lot of misery due to liquor addicted men. They should be freed from troubles,” he told DC. He was released on conditional bail on Tuesday.

Recalling his midnight arrest on October 30 by the police, he said he was totally shocked by the manner in which police arrested him. “I had been to prison along with my comrades for one or two days. But this is the first time I was arrested alone. The way in which the police arrested me on mid night and how they treated my family was great shock to me. Police did not answer any queries of my family and they did not say where they are taking me,” he said. However, he said that the support of his comrades, political party leaders and journalists gave him a clarity and confidence.

Kovan said that his 18-day jail term gave him an opportunity to read books. On the lakhs of hits received for his songs in social media, he said that it only reflects the people’s support for the cause of prohibition. “We perform only in the street corners. It was widely shared online because people believed the songs reflects their sentiment against liquor and they are opposed to the undemocratic way of the government oppression freedom of expression,” he said.

When asked about his next move, he said that his comrades working for relief of the flood hit people. “We will write a song highlighting the misery of people affected by the floods and propagate it,” he said.