Pa Ranjith gets HC relief from arrest

Hearing the director’s anticipatory bail petition on Wednesday, the bench comprising Justice P. Rajamanickam restrained the police from arresting the petitioner Ranjith until June 21.

Ranjith courted controversy when, at a meeting held to commemorate the death anniversary of Neela Puligal Iyakkam founder Umar Farooq in Tiruppanandal in Thanjavur district on June 5, the filmmaker reportedly remarked that Dalits were oppressed during the reign of Chola dynasty emperor Raja Raja.

Citing the remark as a “historical fact” about the ruler, the petitioner said it was essential to speak out to people to erase caste system and bring about a caste-free society. Citing Farook’s book, Ranjith mentioned how Dalits even turned landless people in the delta region. The petitioner, while claiming that it was only to create awareness, by citing references to various authors’ works, that the remarks were made, his speech was wrongly spread on social media, he added. Mentioning that it was not his intention to offend people, he had sought anticipatory bail, which the bench has posted for further hearing on June 21.