Significant condemnation erupted following the controversial remark of T. Velmurugan, the founder of the Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) party and the Panruti constituency MLA, had compared the banned terror linked outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), which is listed under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), to the Indian armed forces during a protest rally in Chennai on 16 November 2024. The PFI’s political wing organized the rally, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which was demanding the release of Muslim prisoners and the provision of 7% reservation for Muslims in education and employment. His remarks sparked widespread outrage and demanding his arrest.
On 16 November 2024, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) organized a protest rally in Chennai, pressing for two key demands, an increase in the Muslim reservation quota for education and employment to 7%, and the release of Muslim prisoners serving life sentences, in line with an election promise. The rally, held near Rajaratnam Stadium in Egmore, Chennai, was led by Mohammed Mubarak, the state president of the SDPI.
The event began with a welcome address from SDPI state general secretary Nizam Mohideen, followed by the flagging off of the rally by State Secretary Ratnam. The opening speech was delivered by State General Secretary ASA Umar Farooq, Ahmed Nawavi, Abubakar Siddiqui, and Najma Begum also spoke during the event
They were joined by special invitees, including former Tamil Nadu Minister and AIADMK member D. Jayakumar, Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Party President and MLA T. Velmurugan, May 17 Movement Coordinator Thirumurugan Gandhi, and several other political leaders.
During the rally’s public meeting, Nellie Mubarak, the SDPI’s state president, strongly advocated for the increase in the Muslim reservation quota from 3.5% to 7%, urging the Tamil Nadu government to implement this as open, rather than closed, reservation. He called for legal amendments to allow Muslim communities to compete within the backward category to achieve social justice. Mubarak also demanded that the government issue a white paper on the benefits of reservation for Muslim minorities and conduct a caste-wise census to ensure fair distribution of resources.
Addressing the issue of Muslim prisoners, Mubarak pointed out that many Muslim have been incarcerated for 10 to 28 years, with some still awaiting release despite the recommendations of Justice N Adinathan’s committee. He criticized the DMK government for delaying the release of these prisoners, despite the government’s prior promise to free them. Mubarak further highlighted that 26 Muslim inmates are only granted parole intermittently, with their release periods being reduced, causing further distress to their families.
Participating in the rally on behalf of AIaDMK Organizing Secretary D. Jayakumar criticised the DMK government for not supporting the muslims who have backed them in elections and even after the MP’s who were sent from tamil nadu have not raised any voices supporting the muslims and urged the DMK to instead of fociing solely on TASMAC liquor sale simplement the promises that they made during 2021 elections.
Speaking at the SDPI rally, Panruti MLA T. Velmurugan sparked controversy with his remarks, comparing the banned terrorist organization PFI to the Indian armed forces. He stated, “Today, many of the top officers in the police department are new, but for 14 years, we have witnessed injustice, lawlessness, and atrocities in this state. In this struggle, the SDPI party and the former Popular Front of India have stood with me like an Indian armed forces. I have participated in numerous grand marches organized by the Popular Front of India, which is a key affiliate and friendly organization of the SDPI. Alongside the Tamil Nadu Police, it is the SDPI and the Popular Front of India that act as the real force like CISF, defending law and order and dedicating their efforts, even their lives, to serving the common people. For fascist BJP, they can be seen as militant or they can be seen as a movement challenging the state. On that basis, the SDPI rally should not be viewed with the same eyes as the fascist Bharatiya Janata government”
Panruti MLA T. Velmurugan stated that he would take responsibility for the actions of the Islamic fundamentalist group ‘Popular Front of India’ (PFI) and assured that they had not harmed the public. He also remarked that officials were hesitant to grant permission for the rally, adding that such caution was, in his view, justified.
Thirumurugan Gandhi, a Dravidian sympathizer and the leader of the May 17 Movement, also spoke at the rally, condemning the DMK government. He indirectly criticized the DMK for resembling the fascist policies of the central government, claiming that the party had failed to fulfill its promises to the Muslim community. Gandhi warned that if the DMK continued to neglect these promises, they would have no choice but to protest against them.
The event concluded with calls for immediate action by the Tamil Nadu government to address these long-standing issues.
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