Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) president Seeman was booked on Thursday, January 9 for a controversial speech on Dravidian ideologue Periyar. In a speech at a meeting in Tamil Nadu’s Vadalur the previous day, Seeman had claimed that Periyar had encouraged incestuous relationships and made other obscene statements. He also condemned Periyar for his comments criticising the Tamil language and questioned the validity of calling the Dravidian icon a rationalist.
Seeman has reportedly been booked under BNS sections 192 (intent to cause riot) and 353/2 (false information), based on complaints from the Dravida Kazhagam (DK) founded by Periyar.
Seeman had also claimed that Periyar had no connection to social justice, leading to protests in the state when images of the NTK chief were burnt.
At a press meet in Chennai, DK president Veeramani criticised Seeman saying, “For a person to question Periyar’s rationalism, they must first ask themselves if they are rationalists.”
According to TNIE, Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK) general secretary K Ramakrishnan attempted to lead a march to the NTK chief’s home saying that he wanted Seeman to show him proof of a statement by Periyar encouraging incest, but was stopped by the police.
Speaking to the press at the time, Ramakrishnan said, “Seeman’s comments are completely baseless. Periyar has never made such statements anywhere. But Seeman continues to spread this atrocious lie. Wherever he goes, we will not let him get away without showing us proof for his statements.” Several TPDK members were reportedly arrested after a vehicle belonging to NTK cadres was reportedly damaged.
In a press meet on January 9, Seeman failed to produce evidence for his claims, but added: “Ask me this after bringing Periyar’s writings into the public domain. How can you ask me for proof after making all his books private property?” Seeman appeared to be referring to the DK and to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
Seeman’s comments have also been condemned by various political leaders, such as DMK ministers Duraimurugan and Sekar Babu, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president K Annamalai came out in support of Seeman. “I can provide the evidence for which book Periyar said what Seeman talked about. I am willing to provide it on behalf of brother Seeman. If the police come home, all I need to do is give them a copy of the book. But, I also believe this does not have to be discussed in public… because women and children are also watching. If we discuss everything that Periyar ever said, people will be disgusted.” Annamalai also claimed—without evidence—that many of Periyar’s books had been “destroyed”, adding vaguely that this was because the Dravidian leader had “spoken to such an extent”.