Celebrities demand justice for Jayaraj and Fenix
Ripples of outrage spread out from K’Town
Just not done,” said Genelia Deshmukh. “Grotesque and gruesome!” was Kajal Agarwal’s reaction. “We must raise our voice and make sure justice is given to the family,” wrote Cricketer Shrikar Dhawan. “In front of the law every1 is the same justice must b done,” posted Hansika.
The recent custodial death of a father and son who ran a cellphone shop in Tuticorin has outraged public opinion and many celebrities have raised their voices in protest against police violence. The shock-waves created by the incident have transcended the borders of Tamil Nadu, unlike in several earlier incidents, and travelled across the country and outside, thanks mainly to a very descriptive video in English posted by singer Suchitra.
Just as they did for various causes earlier, such as the pro-Jallikattu agitation, the ‘Save the Fishermen’ protest and the Pollachi rape case, many K’town celebrities have protested against the death of the father-son duo, Jayaraj and Bennicks Fenix. The two men were arrested on the charge of keeping their shop open beyond the time stipulated by the government during lockdown. The traders’ family has alleged that the two died as a result of torture and police brutality.
Jayam Ravi, Vishal, Khushbu, Aishwarya Rajesh, Hansika, Lawrence, Shanthanu, Athulya, Karthik Subbaraj, Pa. Ranjith, Gautham Karthik and D. Imman are among the Kollywood celebrities who have added their voices to the demand for justice for the two men.
Priyanka Chopra, Harbajan Singh, Kajal Agarwal, Parineeti Chopra, Genelia, Rohini Singh and Sashi Tharoor too joined the fray, condemning the police in no uncertain terms.
The hashtag #JusticeForJayarajand-Fenix is trending on top slot.
Karthik Subbaraj wrote, “What happened in Saththankulam is HORRIBLE!! …The accused officials need to be punished .... Some Humans are more dangerous than Viruses!!”
Music composer Imman posted, “Let’s raise our voices for this ruthless act India! Jeyaraj and Fenix are the George Floyd of India.”
Gautham Karthik wrote, “This is NOT the work of Good and Honest policemen who uphold Justice, Law & Order. This is the work of a few sadistic and barbaric criminals in uniform!”
T agging the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s office, Shanthanu wrote, “This wasn’t interrogation... This was Murder.”
Cricketer Ashwin wrote, “Every single life matters. We should make sure that this act of brutality is meted out with justice.”
Taapsee posted, “This might just be one case out of many but it takes only one case to begin the snowball effect. #JusticeforJayarajAndFenix It could’ve been anyone we know.”
Vishal tweeted,
“This should not be forgotten till action is taken & the people involved are put in Jail. Transfer means nothing.”
Khushbu Sundar lashed out saying, “Will we and can we see law taking its course and punishing the guilty without any further delay in #Jeyaraj and #Fenix case? The culprits cannot and should not get away.
Sashi Taroor posted,
“The tragedy of the custodial deaths in Tuticorin should be a wake-up call to all of us who turn a blind eye to police brutality: Compare the outrage the death of #GeorgeFloyd sparked across the world, w/the lack of national outrage here. Justice denied?”
In her video on Instagram Suchitra said issues in the South had limited impact because of the language issue, and she was therefore explaining what happened in English. Drawing attention to the similarity between the current incident and the Geroge Floyd issue in USA, she refused to be satisfied with the government’s decision to suspend two cops and transfer a few others, stating that this will not serve justice to those who lost their lives and their families. She urged her followers to share her video.
Soon after Suchitra’s video, several influential personalities and Bollywood actors joined the protest.
Lawrence posted, “This act is an insult caused to our police department who are working day and night during this hectic period. …justice needs to be served.”
Sathakulam incident is horrifying…it’s totally inhuman... Really not acceptable…” wrote Aishwarya Rajesh.