Legal action is being taken against K Annamalai, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu, following a dispute with a group of Christian youth during his ‘En Mann En Makkal’ yatra near St. Lourdes Church in Bommidi, close to Paapireddipatty. The Bommidi police have filed a case against Annamalai under three sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The conflict unfolded when Annamalai attempted to enter the St. Lourdes Church to garland the statue of Mary. This led to a confrontation with young members from a Roman Catholic church in B Pallipatty, Dharmapuri district, on 9 January 2024. The youths protested, objecting to his entry into the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, where he had planned to garland the statue.
Tensions escalated as the youth raised slogans against Annamalai, resulting in a heated exchange of words between the protestors and the state BJP chief. A video capturing the altercation went viral, showing Annamalai attempting to pacify the agitated youth by emphasising the right of everyone to worship at a church.
During the confrontation, the youth questioned Annamalai about the Manipur riots, accusing the BJP of being responsible for the killing of Christians. Annamalai clarified that the conflict in Manipur was a tribal dispute, and religion played no role. However, the youth insisted that the BJP, being in power in the state, failed to prevent the killing of Christians. Annamalai urged them not to adopt a stance similar to the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and asserted his right to enter the church. Police intervened, removing the angry youth and allowing Annamalai to enter and garland the idol.
Cheap tactics : Some fringe elements try to portray a picture that minorities are against BJP and Thalaivar Annamalai but Thalaivar prevails and garlands Mary Maatha. Sabka saath sabka vikas 🙏🏻These old rotten techniques won’t work with Thalaivar ! @annamalai_k rocks pic.twitter.com/oByi6GgZzB
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) January 8, 2024
Following the incident, a complaint was lodged against the BJP president by a 28-year-old named Karthik from B Pallipatty. Acting on the complaint, the police registered cases under three Sections of the IPC, namely 153(a), 504, and 505(2). These sections pertain to promoting enmity between religions, provocation to public peace, and committing ill-will between classes of people in a place of worship.
In response to the incident, the state BJP unit alleged that the people opposing Annamalai’s entrance into the church were affiliated with the ruling party, DMK. The party further criticised the DMK government for initiating legal proceedings against Annamalai.
Background checks conducted by the BJP IT wing have confirmed the protester’s association with DMK’s Udhayanidhi Stalin and Anbil Mahesh. Additionally, he shared social media posts expressing affection for the DMK, and there are photographic records of him garlanding Karunanidhi.
இதற்கு பெயர் என்ன தெரியுமா? Tweeps your thoughts ! pic.twitter.com/hK86spwGRs
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) January 9, 2024
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