On 2 October 2024, the Madras High Court dismissed a charge sheet filed by the Chennai Central Crime Branch against film action choreographer ‘Kanal’ Kannan for his speech demanding the removal of the statue of anti-Hindu bigot EV Ramasamy Naicker (hailed as ‘Periyar’ by his followers), located outside the Srirangam Temple in Tamil Nadu.
Justice G Jayachandran noted that a member of the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam filed the complaint. The court pointed out that the provocative statements displayed near a Hindu temple had prompted Kannan’s reaction, and the individual responsible for provoking the response could not use this provocation to prosecute Kannan.
The court allowed Kannan’s petition to quash the case and dismissed the entire pending prosecution in a Metropolitan Magistrate court in Egmore, Chennai. The case, originally filed in 2022, had led to Kannan’s arrest. Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan had previously granted him bail, with the condition that Kannan would not make any further provocative statements.
Kannan, in August 2022, said, “Lakhs of Hindus worship at the Srirangam Ranganathar Temple daily. Opposite to that (temple), there is a statue of a person who said ‘there is no God’ (referring to EVR). The day that statue is broken is the day of Hindu resurgence”.
In his defence, Kannan argued that there was nothing wrong with calling for the removal of the EVR statue, which was situated near a temple frequented by thousands of worshippers daily and displayed statements criticizing theists. Kannan contended that the authorities had targeted him while ignoring those responsible for placing the EVR statue in front of the temple.
As an office-bearer of the Hindu Munnani, Kannan explained that his remarks were made during a public meeting organized by the group. He had suggested that EVR’s statue be demolished, as it included derogatory statements about believers in God, labelling them as “fools and barbarians.”
Kannan further emphasized that the temple is a sacred site visited by at least one lakh Hindus each day. He argued that his comments did not violate any laws, but rather, the presence of the statue with its offensive words could be considered a criminal act under Sections 153, 505(1)(b), and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code, which address promoting enmity and disturbing public order.
Additionally, he pointed out that despite numerous videos circulating on social media that disparage Hindu gods and faith. No actions had been taken against those responsible for such content.
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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