A day after he accused 'anti-social elements' of being responsible for the violent clashes on day 100 of the anti-Strelite protests in Thoothukudi, members of the Tamilazhaga Makkal Jananayaga Katchi protested against superstar Rajinikanth near his residence in Chennai. Over 40 protesters gathered near Radhakrishnan Salai in the city with flags to express their displeasure over the actor's allegation.
Rajinikanth emphasised on Wednesday the need to save the industrial climate of the state, which he claims will go through a lean patch if protests continue. He pointed out that protests were not the solution to every problem and that the violence that was displayed in the Thoothukudi protest was the doing of 'anti-social elements' and 'toxic germs'. The actor-turned-politician said that such elements have increased in Tamil Nadu and even cited violence during the jallikattu protests as an example. He further went on to praise former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for keeping such 'toxic germs' under control.
His comments have garnered criticism from groups that led the agitation in Thoothukudi and from opposition parties. Police reportedly expected there to be a backlash on Thursday, following which security was increased at his Poes Garden residence. Demonstrators gathered after 5 pm near Radhakrishnan Salai to march to the actor's house but were stopped by the police. They demanded that the actor apologise for his remarks.
Traffic was temporarily affected in the area before the protesters were detained.
Earlier today, DMK working President MK Stalin hit out at the actor alleging that he was parroting lines taught to him by the BJP and the AIADMK.
"I doubt that is it his own voice. What he said is the words of the BJP and AIADMK. So, I suspect it is their voice," said DMK working President MK Stalin to the media.
"Whatever it may be, he is a superstar, he himself has said he knows it is terrorists who indulged in violence. Since he said he knows who they are, he should let this nation know. If he reveals it, it will be good for the nation. Let us wait and see if he (Rajinikanth) reveals that or not," he added sarcastically.
When asked about the actor's views on the agitation, Stalin said, "Life is a protest and without protest nothing can be achieved. It may be a protest against Hindi or for freedom or for jallikattu - after protest only it has been solved. I think he (Rajinikanth) knows this."
The AIADMK, however, has come in support of the actor and claimed that his views matched that of the current dispensation