Sarkar bows to govt: After cuts, AIADMK says no more protests

Speaking to mediapersons, Information and Publicity Minister Kadambur C Raju, who first flagged the objectionable scenes, said: “We believe they (Sarkar team) have realised that they hurt people’s sentiments. They have come forward to remove the scenes. Hence, the issue has come to an end and protests will not continue.”

Justifying the protests, Raju said AIADMK workers ranging from a supporter to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami treat former CM J Jayalalithaa as god. “We are not true AIADMK workers if we do not show our opposition.”

Earlier in the day, the ruling party cadre created a ruckus in several places across the State. While operators were forced to cancel shows in several theatres in Tirupur district, scores of AIADMK workers demonstrated in front of theatres in Coimbatore, Thanjavur, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts. Raising slogans against the movie makers, they tore posters and banners of the movie.

There was a moment of tension at SVR theatres in Dharapuram when cadre barged in and assaulted the theatre manager, even while the movie was plying. This forced the cancellation of all the shows for the day. On receiving information, the Dharapuram police rushed to the spot and removed the AIADMK workers. Although fans of actor Vijay objected to the cancellation of shows, they were pacified and given a refund. As a precautionary measure, a large number of police personnel were deployed at theatres in Coimbatore.

The AIADMK workers also staged protests at Ambur and Tirupattur in Vellore district. In the latter town, morning shows were cancelled in seven theatres on Friday.

At Arni in Tiruvannamalai district, Vijay fans handed over to the police the names of five AIADMK cadre whom they claimed had torn banners kept within a theatre.

Meanwhile, the police have registered several cases against office bearers of the ‘Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam’ for erecting banners without permission.

In Thanjavur, a total of seven cases were filed against various persons for erecting banners at railway junction, east gate old fish market, Membalam and other areas.

While a total of eight cases were filed in Papanasam police sub-division, seven more cases were booked in Kumbakonam. The accused were charged under the Tamil Nadu open places disfigurement act.