BJP cadre protest against Thiruma’s visit, Erode tense

A group of BJP workers gathered and shouted slogans near a marriage hall, where Chidambaram Member of Parliament Thirumavalavan came to attend a wedding at Kandasamiyanur village near Kavindapadi on Monday.

When Thiruma arrived at 10.30 am, BJP workers raised in protest and attempted to gherao his vehicle against his controversial remark seeking a ban on ‘Manusmriti’ alleging it denigrates women. The VCK organised state wide protests demanding a ban on the ancient Hindu text while the BJP too joined the issue saying that the nation is governed by the Constitution written by Ambedkar and not ‘Manusmriti.’ In a counter to protesting BJP, the VCK cadres, who have arrived in large numbers for the marriage, staged an agitation demanding the arrest of BJP workers for raising slogans against their leader. Tension escalated as cadres of both the parties traded heated words. Police then interfered to pacify the warring party men, but the situation grew worse forcing police to remove around 14 BJP workers in a police vehicle.

Then, the VCK workers allegedly hurled stones on the police vehicle, which had BJP cadres, while shattering its rear glass window. The BJP workers were taken to Kavindapadi police station.

After an hour, the VCK leader left the wedding hall to Salem. Thereafter, the BJP workers staged a road block protest at Kavindapadi four road junction demanding the arrest of VCK cadres for hurling stones on the police vehicle resulting in traffic disruptions for a while.

Police removed as many as 13 cadres, including nine women and lodged them in a marriage hall. Security has been enhanced in the district to prevent any untoward incidents.