A significant political controversy has erupted after Arjun Sampath, leader of the Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK), released a video targeting Naam Tamilar Katchi chief Seeman, accusing him of supporting “Islamic religious fanatic terrorists” and operating with “ulterior motives” to secure Muslim votes.
The video, which shows Seeman interacting with a Muslim fishing community, has sparked a heated debate about political outreach and judicial advocacy in Tamil Nadu. In the clip, Seeman is seen greeting the community with “Wa Alaikum Assalam” before engaging in a detailed discussion about incarcerated Muslim prisoners.
In his statement, Sampath made severe allegations against Seeman and his party. “When hundreds of Hindu Tamils were brutally murdered by Islamic terrorists who issued fatwas against them, Seeman did not speak up for the welfare of Hindu Tamils,” Sampath claimed. He further alleged that “the Naam Tamilar organization has long since transformed into a Christian organization” and is “currently operating as an organization supportive of Islamic terrorists,” urging Hindu Tamils to “remain vigilant.”
In the shared video, when questioned about his advocacy for Muslim prisoners, Seeman provided an extensive justification framed in personal and humanitarian terms. “I don’t see them merely as Islamic prisoners. I see them as my relatives who are prisoners,” Seeman stated, revealing his personal connections with several inmates.
Seeman reminds the Muslims in the audience that he calls 1998 Coimbatore bomb blast convict SA Basha as “Appa“. He also fondly remembers another terrorist, Palani Baba.
The Naam Tamilar leader detailed his ongoing campaign, claiming he had organized protests across multiple cities until the DMK government banned his Palayamkottai meeting. “They said if we allow Seeman’s meeting for the release of Islamic prisoners, then RSS will also demand permission,” Seeman recounted, adding that he told authorities to “give them permission too! Let both opinions exist.”
Seeman accused both the DMK and BJP of playing politics with the prisoner issue. “When Rajiv Gandhi’s convicts are released, Congress protests. When discussion turns to releasing Muslim prisoners, BJP protests. Both parties use people’s fears to protect votes,” he asserted.
The leader announced concrete future actions, including completing a documentary film about the prisoners’ families and holding a major conference in Chennai. “I will again speak about the release of Islamic prisoners. You will hear not only me but also their mothers, sisters, and children,” he promised.
In a significant disclosure, Seeman claimed that the DMK government had opposed the Supreme Court’s direction to release three ailing Muslim prisoners on humanitarian grounds. “The Supreme Court said, ‘Release them.’ The Tamil Nadu government’s reply was that those men, who went to prison twenty-five years ago, are still in the same mindset,” Seeman revealed, calling this “hypocrisy” from a government that sought Muslim votes by promising prisoner release.
Full transcript:
Seeman said, ” In the 2021 elections, Chief Minister Stalin said, “Vote for me, I will release the Islamic prisoners.” But he deceived us. You had been protesting for the release of the Islamic prisoners too. Why did you stop it? Will no one come forward for the Islamic prisoners? That’s my question. [Seeman]: Brother, please sit down. I’ll answer. I don’t see them merely as Islamic prisoners. I see them as my relatives who are prisoners. I’m saying this as someone who has lived with them in prison and understands their feelings deeply. I stayed with Basha appa for more than 45 days. I know everyone — brother Abu Thahir, the policemen like Fakruddin, all of them. When brother Abu Thahir was released on bail, he spoke to me tearfully and said, “Anna, please arrange for my release.” Later, both his kidneys failed. Nobody went to see him. I went to the hospital and saw him. He couldn’t hear me properly; I had to speak close to his ear. He was very weak, barely alive. They kept him there in the hospital until his death. My father lived beyond 80 years. When he came out on parole, he would always say, “Ayya… Ayya…” I call him “Appa”. He’d say, I am over 80 now — what can we do anymore? Say something and we’ll try to get you released.” In his last days, he said, “I want to see my grandchildren before I go to Allah. Please speak for me.” I did. For the release of the Islamic prisoners, I, your brother, have fought continuously — in Nagapattinam, Chennai, and many other places. But I must tell you a bitter truth. Some Islamic groups did not allow their members to attend my big public rally. The Jamaat leaders said, “If you attend Seeman’s rally, it will delay the release because the ruling government might get angry.” Still, I continued. Finally, when I tried to hold a big meeting in Palayamkottai near Melapalayam, this same DMK government banned my meeting. They said the reason was: “If we allow Seeman’s meeting for the release of Islamic prisoners, then RSS will also demand permission.” I told them: give them permission too! Let them speak against it! Let both the opinions exist. I had no other choice, so I began making a documentary film. Half of it is already shot — songs and all. It includes interviews with families of Muslim prisoners in Coimbatore, some of whom declined to appear because they feared it would affect parole chances. Still, others shared their pain. I intend to complete the film, screen it in Chennai, and hold a large conference demanding the release of Islamic prisoners. Now, listen — the first person who called them “Islamic extremists” in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly was none other than Karunanidhi. Later, in 2021, Mr. Stalin said during elections, “Vote for me, I will release the innocent Islamic prisoners.” Like our brother Pazhani Baba once said, “If a man speaks kindly, people easily believe he is good.” That’s what happened — people voted for him. After coming to power, Stalin said, “The Governor didn’t sign the order.” But the Governor is from the BJP — if he refuses to sign, does that mean you have no power? You should have said at that time that you will rlease if the governor signs the order. You say you will gove 1000 rupees to women and then say that only eligible women can get it. Who are you to decide if my mothers and sisters are eligible? If you’re the Chief Minister, elected by eight crore people, and you have less authority than one unelected appointee — what kind of democracy is that? If I were him, I would have said, “I’ll dissolve my government, hold another election, and the people will choose again.” To rule, you need courage. But look what happens here. When Rajiv Gandhi’s convicts are released, Congress protests. When discussion turns to releasing Muslim prisoners, BJP protests. Both parties use people’s fears to protect votes. A leader who worries about vote banks will never care for the people or the nation. I am not speaking for votes. Even if I don’t get your votes, I will still speak — because this is my duty, my birth responsibility. Soon, in our upcoming Chennai meeting, I will again speak about the release of Islamic prisoners. You will hear not only me but also their mothers, sisters, and children — their pain will make the truth clearer than any politician’s words. If even that doesn’t lead to their release, then I will once more raise my voice to open the doors — and I tell people, don’t vote for DMK anymore. I haven’t stopped fighting — they did. I will continue. Recently, three Muslim prisoners who were ill, appealed to the Supreme Court seeking early release on humanitarian grounds. The court accepted their plea, acknowledging their long imprisonment, and directed Tamil Nadu to release them. But the DMK government filed a counter-petition, arguing that these prisoners still pose a danger, saying, “If they are released, Hindu leaders’ lives will be at risk.” What hypocrisy! The same government that sought votes for freeing them now labels them threats. And yet they call themselves protectors of minorities. When the court said “release them,” the government opposed it and continued to argue. Many people don’t even know this happened because some media and party members won’t dare to speak of it — their only duty is to serve the DMK. So I’m telling you the truth: three Muslim prisoners went to court seeking early release due to failing health — the Supreme Court said, “Release them.” The Tamil Nadu government’s reply was that those men, who went to prison twenty-five years ago, are still in the same mindset and therefore, releasing them would be dangerous. And yet, this government claims to protect Muslims. Think about that.
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