Coimbatore: Fans of superstar Rajnikanth on Saturday petitioned the police commissioner of Chennai to take action against two Dravidian groups for allegedly issuing death threats to the actor for his recent remarks on rationalist leader E V Ramaswamy Periyar.
The Rajinikanth Makkal Mandram (Rajinikanth Fans Association) alleged that Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam and Dravida Kahagam supporters had issued threats while demanding that the actor apologise for his remarks. The activists allegedly threatened to not allow Rajanikanth to shoot for his films anywhere in Tamil Nadu, the association said.
The controversy broke out when, while addressing the 50th anniversary event of the Tamil magazine Thuglak in Chennai on January 14, Rajinikanth told the audience about a rally led by Periyar in Salem in 1971 during which nude idols of Hindu gods Ram and Sita were allegedly paraded wearing a garland of sandals.
Several Dravidian parties protested against Rajinikanth's statement. The DVK demanded an unconditional apology and filed a police complaint against the actor on January 17.
On the other side of the Periyar divide, CPI supporters staged a protest in Chennai Saturday demanding the arrest of those who vandalised the statue of rationalist leader E V Ramasamy Periyar on Friday.
Around 100 party workers held aloft banners with pictures of Periyar and raised slogans demanding the arrest of the culprits.
The Periyar statue located at Salavakkam in Kancheepuram district was found vandalised on Friday morning.
Various political leaders have condemned the vandalism. DMK chief M K Stalin and PMK founder S Ramadoss demanded strict action against those involved in damaging the statue of the rationalist leader.
