Chennai: Constable Mayalagu of the Armed Reserve Police caused major stir in the jallikattu protest at the Marina on Friday making a robust speech in uniform exhorting the congregation to continue the fight for the farmers' right to water and livelihood and not just stay content getting back the bull fight.
“They keep saying we are an agrarian country but are they giving importance to agriculture? What kind of government is this? Farming depends on water and cattle manure. They have killed the soil by applying chemical fertilizers and now they want to kill our bulls too by banning jallikattu. Farmers are dying due to lack of water and we are begging neighbouring states for water. What have you (government) got to say to all this?” thundered the cop, putting the best political orator to shame.
Policemen standing nearby appeared clearly embarrassed when Mayalagu declared that he was speaking on behalf of his many colleagues in the force who were in the congregation and who were all in support of the agitation. He said the agitation would end peacefully if the government took early action realising that even policemen, like himself, had taken part in the jallikattu protest.
The climax was delivered by Mayalagu, drawing loud cheering from the crowd, when he turned his attack on Prime Minister Modi. “We have a Gandhi Mandap in our place and we are conducting this agitation in a peaceful manner, but you have sought votes saying you were born in Gandhi's birthplace. I am asking Modi”.
A sub-inspector and a constable then whisked him away and took him to deputy commissioner (AR) at nearby Pudupet, where the DC, K. Sounderarajan, pulled him up for speaking in uniform.
“My family also spoke to me and advised me to keep quiet even if the higher-ups take me to task for my speech. They are all asking me why I made the speech in uniform”, Mayalagu told DC. The young cop is married for just four months.
