A statue of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran was on Tuesday, January 25, found damaged in Thanjavur, with the opposition AIADMK strongly condemning the incident and calling for action against alleged “anti-social elements” behind the vandalism. The bust of Ramachandran, the AIADMK founder who is popularly known as MGR, at North Main Street in Thanjavur was found removed from the pedestal on the morning of January 25 by some party workers, police said, adding investigation was on into the matter.
Tense moments prevailed for some time as party workers gathered at the spot. The AIADMK strongly reacted to the incident, alleging the role of “anti-social elements” behind the damage to the party founder's bust. Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly and AIADMK Joint Coordinator, Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed any attempts to “malign Puratchi Thalaivar” (revolutionary leader) and urged the government to quickly act on the matter.
In a series of tweets, EPS hailed the late Chief Minister's pro-people measures aimed at the poorer sections of the society and said he therefore was etched in the hearts of people forever.
"I strongly condemn the damaging of MGR's statue in Thanjavur by anti-social elements. The government should take stringent action against those maligning Puratchi Thalaivar and attempting to disturb public peace. Further, if such mischievous incidents continue, there would be serious consequences," the former CM said.
He said the party workers will not remain silent over such incidents, while asserting that these would not dent the popularity of the late leader, who was also a yesteryear matinee idol.
ஏழை எளியோர் பசி தீர்த்த வள்ளல், தமிழக மக்கள் இதயங்களில் என்றென்றும் நீங்கா புகழ் கொண்டிருக்கும் இதயக்கனி எம்.ஜி.ஆர். அவர்களின் திருவுருவச் சிலை தஞ்சை வடக்கு வீதியில் சமூக விரோதிகள் சிலரால் சேதப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளதை மிகவும் வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கிறேன்,1/2 pic.twitter.com/tSEwfdnL9M
— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@EPSTamilNadu) January 25, 2022
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dhinakaran also slammed the incident, saying damage caused to statues of leaders in the state should be stopped, alluding to earlier similar instances of vandalism of statues of rationalist leader and Dravidar Kazhagam founder EV Ramasamy Periyar. He called for stringent police action against those involved in the Thanjavur incident.