TN MLA arrested for remarks against CM, cops

CHENNAI : Tamil Nadu police on Sunday arrested actor and ruling AIADMK MLA Sethu Karunas days after he made some allegedly provocative remarks against the chief minister and the men in uniform. A local court remanded him in judicial custody until October 5.

Karunas, founder of Mukkulathor Pulippadai - a Thevar caste outfit, was picked up from his house Sunday morning by a special team, police said.

At a recent public meeting Karunas had allegedly made some remarks against chief minister Palaniswami and the police, besides some alleged caste related ones, drawing criticism from various quarters.

Following the controversial speech, V G Narayanan of the Hindu Makkal Munnani had filed a complaint with Chennai commissioner AK Viswanathan. The Nungambakkam police booked Karunas under various sections of the IPC.

“Prisons are not new for us. We are the heirs of Pandiya rulers who braved the British army. I will face this in a legal way,” Karunas told the media .

DMK president MK Stalin questioned the arrest as it came after the actor-politician had tendered an apology

“Karunas regretted his offensive comments even then police arrested him. The rule of law is being selectively implemented in Tamil Nadu. H Raja, who threatened to damage statues of (rational leader EVR) Periyar and one who demeaned and defamed police, besides making remarks against spouses of temple administration staff, has not yet been arrested,” he said.

Stalin, leader of opposition in the state assembly, said Raja was still attending public events with police protection and asked why another BJP member, Shekher, was also still not arrested in connection with a case of making demeaning remarks against women journalists. “There is one rule for Karunas and another for Raja and Shekher and this is an injustice...,” he added.