Vaiko, the chief of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), was detained by Tirunelveli police on Friday for keeping up with his tradition of showing his opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by displaying black flags and balloons.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive at Kanyakumari on Friday, to launch government schemes in Tamil Nadu. In an attempt to express his staunch opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a group of men led by Vaiko gathered in Kavalkinaru, near the Kanyakumari-Tirunelveli border and raised slogans. Vaiko also released tens of black balloons in the air while his supporters showed black flags and indulged in a protest.
Speaking to reporters during the protest, Vaiko said that the Prime Minister has betrayed the state by not listening to the people’s demands and was instead doing things which would make the people lose their lands and livelihood. Taking the examples of neutrino and hydrocarbon projects, Vaiko alleged that Modi is engaging in these things to help corporate honchos like Adani and Ambani rake in crores of rupees.
“He burnt social justice and brought in 10 percent reservation, just to secure the votes of those in northern states, thereby destroying what Periyar, Kamarajar, Anna and Kalaignar fought for… 89 Tamilians died in Gaja and not a single word of condolence he has expressed. What is he coming to Tamil Nadu for? … I promised that I will show black flag to Narendra Modi whenever he comes to Tamil Nadu for government events. I promised it during Gaja, standing in the middle of fallen coconut trees and cries of women who had lost their livelihood. I have kept my promise from that day. We don’t have a problem if he comes for BJP events, but we oppose him coming for government events,” Vaiko said.
As Vaiko continued to protest against the Prime Minister, the Panagudi police took him into custody and have detained him in a private marriage hall in the area amidst tight security. The police confirmed the detention to TNM but refused to comment further on the issue.
During Vaiko’s protest, a minor scuffle broke out between his supporters and BJP supporters who raised slogans against Vaiko. Following this, police deployment was beefed up in the area.
Prime Minister Modi is visiting Kanyakumari to inaugurate government schemes including highway projects worth almost Rs 3,000 crore and flag off the new train between Madurai and Chennai -- Thejas Express. Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and union minister Pon Radhakrishnan will also participate in the event.
Initially, the Prime Minister was set to address a BJP rally after inauguration the schemes, but in the wake of Indo-Pak tensions, the BJP rally was cancelled on Thursday morning.
This is not the first time Vaiko is being detained for protesting against Prime Minister Modi. In January, Vaiko was detained for engaging in a similar protest outside the Periyar bus stand in Madurai, on the day when Prime Minister was visiting the city to lay the foundation stone for the new AIIMS hospital that was coming up in Thoppur, in the outskirts of Madurai.