In a recent development, BJP supporter Johny Raja was arrested in Chennai by Vellore police following social media posts allegedly targeting the ruling DMK party. Raja was taken into custody and subsequently presented before the Vellore magistrate, where he was granted bail.
BJP officials in the Vellore district, alongside party supporters, coordinated efforts to secure his release on the day police arrested Johny Raja. Acknowledging the swift action taken by the party, district BJP officials expressed gratitude to the legal and IT wings and local leaders who liaised with Johny Raja’s family and provided immediate assistance.
Reports indicate that Raja had been vocal on social media, openly opposing DMK policies, which allegedly led to his arrest. BJP leaders and supporters condemned the arrest, describing it as an attempt by law enforcement to suppress dissent. “The DMK’s use of police force to silence opposing views is unacceptable and intimidatory,” stated BJP spokespersons, who criticized the incident as an infringement on freedom of speech. Party officials have assured that Johny Raja will receive all necessary legal support.
திமுகவின் ஏவல்துறையாக செயல்படும் காவல்துறைக்கு நீதிமன்றத்தில் மேலும் ஒரு சாட்டையடி.
வேலூரில் பல கடும் குற்றங்கள் தினசரி நடந்து வரும் நிலையில், பல கொலை வழக்குகள் நிலுவையில் இருக்கும் நிலையில், சமூகவலைதள பதவிற்காக சென்னை வரை 10 காவலர்கள் சென்று
தம்பி @Johni_raja வை கைது செய்ய…— Selva Kumar (@Selvakumar_IN) November 10, 2024
This comes as yet another incident that highlights the concerning trend of Tamil Nadu Police prioritizing the prosecution of individuals expressing dissenting views online over addressing more serious crimes such as drug peddling, rape, and murder.
Below is the list of past actions of the DMK government, which involved stifling the expression of dissenting opinions, and led to a crackdown on freedom of speech.
- The Commune and its directors faced legal action for reporting on the confrontation between Podu Deekshitars of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and HR&CE officials.
- BJP IT Wing and Social Media State Secretary Trichy Pugal Machendran was arrested for an alleged provocative Facebook post celebrating the death of the terrorist Palani Baba on his death anniversary. The post referred to Palani Baba as a “poisonous influence.”
- TN BJP Functionary Pravin Raj was arrested in the wee hours of 1 October 2023 for his posts targeting the ruling party and the Congress.
- The Tamil Nadu police even went up to Noida to try to arrest journalist Abhijit Majumder for his article on Udhayanidhi Stalin’s eradicate Sanathana Dharma remarks.
- A critic of the DMK, Badri Seshadri, was arrested for his comments in an interview on a YouTube channel regarding the Manipur issue, during which he made remarks about the Chief Justice of India.
- Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah was taken into custody under non-bailable sections for his comments regarding Madurai CPI-M MP Su Venkatesan concerning a sanitation worker’s tragic death during drain cleaning in Pennadam town, Cuddalore district.
- An AIADMK IT wing member was apprehended under non-bailable sections for sharing a video meme that humorously referenced MK Stalin’s video statement on Senthilbalaji’s arrest. The meme did not contain derogatory content.
- A Pro-BJP Twitter user was arrested for sharing an old article and allegedly misattributing DMK to an illegal liquor-producing gang in Tiruppur, following the recent hooch tragedy in Marakkanam.
- A Pro-BJP Twitter user was arrested for sharing an old article and allegedly misattributing DMK to an illegal liquor-producing gang in Tiruppur, following the recent hooch tragedy in Marakkanam.
- Vice President of Tamil Nadu BJP’s Industrial Cell, Selva Kumar, was arrested for criticizing DMK Minister Senthilbalaji.
- The admin of Voice of Savukku Shankar X handle was arrested for a video meme targeting CM MK Stalin and DMK Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan regarding the “eligible household” clause in the monthly assistance scheme for women.
- The DMK government traveled to Gujarat to arrest BJP cadre John Ravi, who had made satirical social media posts about CM MK Stalin and his late father, Karunanidhi.
- N Muthuramalingam, the State Propaganda Secretary of South India Forward Bloc, was arrested for expressing his views on Facebook regarding the release of terrorists convicted in the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts case. Muthuramalingam had criticized Dravidian parties for considering the release of 36 prisoners, including those convicted for life in the Coimbatore terror attack, leading to his arrest.
- In March 2024, Minjur Saleem, a pro-BJP activist found himself detained and later arrested for his dissenting views regarding the DMK Party’s governance, which he expressed on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
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