Chennai: Contending that the intensity of actor-legislator S. Karunas’ provocative speech had led to his arrest, State Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar said all those - even if it be H. Raja (BJP national secretary - who incite violence and disturb communal amity, will face the wrath of the law.
Justifying the government’s action on arresting Karunas, the Tiruvadanai MLA, in the interest of law and order, Mr. Jayakumar said the legislator’s speech was aimed at disturbing peace and fanning hatred among castes. “The intensity of his action led to his arrest. His speech amounted to inciting violence and caste hatred. Such attempts should be nipped in the bud only then Tamil Nadu will continue to maintain its identity of being free from lingual, caste or communal violence,” Mr. Jayakumar said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters here he said Karunas had violated his oath as a MLA and as per constitution a legislator should be beyond caste or religion. “Now legal experts opine that his action has become a threat to his position as a legislator. The situation is similar to the debarring of Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena leader in Maharashtra (in 201). Now Karunas’ continuation as a MLA has become a question mark,” the Minister said.
Asked if the government would act tough on H. Raja, Mr. Jayakumar shot back, “whether it is H. Raja or anyone else, law is the same for everyone. Raja has to reply for the cases filed against him. You can count the number of persons going to the jail. Don’t worry Raja will also be in that list.”
On the opposition allegation that action was not taken against Raja because of ruling AIADMK's proximity to BJP, Mr. Jayakumar said cordiality existed only between the state and central governments. "That is an illusion being spread in social media," he said and added that there was no party-to-party ties with the
BJP.
H. Raja is facing cases in Chennai, Pudukottai and Coimbatore on various issues, including his alleged derogatory remarks aginst courts and police during a Vinayaka Chaturthi procession on Sept. 16.
