In yet another instance, Erode North Police Inspector Shanmugam has been transferred to a control room, widely regarded as a punishment posting, for ordering the removal of certain anti-Hindu books from an ongoing book fair in Erode.
The Book Fair, inaugurated on the 3 August 2023, taking place at the Chikkaiah Naicker College Grounds in Erode, is organised under the banner of the Tamil Nadu Government and People’s Think Tank. This event has drawn widespread attention with a participation of over 230 book stalls. The Book Fair is scheduled to be continue until August 15.
The controversy stems from an advertisement poster displayed at book stalls 59, 101, and 102, showcasing a book titled “Hindutva Fascism – Vergalum Vizhuthugalum (Hindutva Fascism; Roots and Veins.)” Simultaneously, another poster promoted the book ‘Arthamilla Hindu Madham’, (Meaningless Hindu Religion, a counter to the acclaimed best-seller Arthamulla Hindu Madham, Meaningful Hindu Religion written by Kavignar Kannadasan), a publication of the Dravidar Kazhagam. Inspector Shanmugam, stationed at Erode North Police Station, issued an order to remove the advertisement posters related to these two books.
Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam and other Periyarist organisations strongly protested the action of police inspector Shanmugam for ordering the removal of anti-Hindu poster. They claimed that they will not remove the books as the books were not banned in Tamil Nadu.
In a subsequent development, Superintendent of Police Jawahar intervened by transferring Police Inspector Shanmugam to the District Control Room. Additionally, Special Constable Meiyazhagan, who was allegedly involved in the incident but did not inform the District Superintendent of Police about the situation, has been transferred to the Tamil Nadu Armed Police Force which is a Reserve Force and considered a dummy posting.
This incident has sparked a broader discussion about the perceived anti-Hindu stance of the DMK government. Critics argue that the transfer of Inspector Shanmugam could be interpreted as a punitive action for attempting to maintain order and decorum at the book fair.
This is the second such incident this week in which police personnel were transferred for taking action on anti-Hindu issues. Earlier, A police sub-inspector, P Rajendran, was suspended on 7 August 2023 for making supposed “objectionable remarks” against religions after a voice note he posted on a private WhatsApp group that allegedly derided Christianity and Islam went viral on social media. The sub-inspector works at the Pulianthope Traffic Investigation Wing as per reports.
(with inputs from News18 Tamil)
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