Member of Rajya Sabha and DMK Organization Secretary R.S. Bharathi was arrested this morning from his residence in Alandur by the Central Crime Branch for his comments on Dalits.
Speaking at an event in Anbagam (the DMK youth wing headquarters), in February of this year, the DMK MP had said “If Tamil Nadu remains the best state, it is because of the Dravidian movement. No Harijan has become a judge of the High Court in Madhya Pradesh. After Karunanidhi became Chief Minister A Varadarajan was appointed as HC judge. Seven or eight others from Adi Dravidar community went on to become judges after that. It is the alms (picchai) given by the Dravidian Movement”.
His comment had triggered outrage with people across the spectrum condemning the MP and the DMK for showing an oppressive and anti-Dalit mindset. Demands for R.S. Bharathi’s arrest under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act grew louder with complaints getting filed at various places. Dalit leaders like Ma. Venkatesan had registered a complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Caste asking the Commission to take action against the MP. The arrest has been made under the complaint filed by the Adi Tamilar Makkal Katchi leader Mr. Kalyan Kumar.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. R.S. Bharathi alleged that the arrest is being done for exposing the irregularities in the purchase of PPE kits.
Meanwhile, complaints have been filed against DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran for his unscrupulous remarks against Dalits while addressing a press conference. It is expected that he too might get arrested soon.