A government-organised bicycle distribution program for school students in Salem’s Bagalpatti descended into disarray yesterday after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party members engaged in a verbal dispute with the school authorities allegedly over not giving the centrestage to the ruling party for arranging the giveaways.
The brawl ended with MLA Arul, belonging to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), offering an apology to the students and falling on their feet for having to witness the brawl.
The video of this event and Arul’s public apology has since gone viral on social media.
Classic DMK thuggish behavior, that in a school in the presence of the Head master and students and the PMK mla had to apologize for it in the end… pic.twitter.com/dIYnNhVgFP
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 (@HLKodo) January 24, 2024
MLA Arul stated that since the students had to leave to participate in a science exhibition in a nearby college, he said he would distribute the cycles and wind up the event soon. However, DMK members felt slighted because they were not given opportunity to speak.
“We are the ruling party. If not for us, there wouldn’t have been any cycles to distribute,” DMK members reportedly said. To this, MLA Arul is said to have requested them not to politicise the event especially in front of the students.
However, DMK Agriculture Team District Deputy organiser Raju continued to create an issue and allegedly prevented the event from progressing smoothly.
Frustrated by the turn of events, MLA Arul was heard again requesting them to not politicise the event and create a scene in front of impressionable students. Following this, Arul prostrated on the floor in front of the students.
Expressing deep regret for the brawl, the MLA took the mic and told the gathering of students “We have made you witness something uncivilised in a place where you are supposed to learn about good values and conduct. I sincerely apologise for this and I would like to fall at your feet and apologise.” Despite being prevented by the others in the vicinity, Arul prostrated on the floor in front of them and sought apology.
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