Over the past couple of days, a rumor has been circulating on social media claiming that the Raj Bhavan Tamil Nadu authorized the arrest of Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai. This rumor gained traction and was widely shared by major news channels and journalists. However, on 13 May 2024, the Raj Bhavan officially refuted this claim through its official X channel, stating that there is no truth to it. The notice sent to Annamalai by Nantha Kumar, the Secretary to the government, explicitly stated that it was on the governor’s orders to arrest Annamalai, media outlets started reporting Annamalai’s arrest permission.
In its official statement, Raj Bhavan stated, “Raj Bhavan, Tamil Nadu has been receiving anxious inquiries from the public for the last two days regarding a news circulating in media that the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu has accorded sanction to prosecute Thiru. K. Annamalai, BJP State President of Tamil Nadu in a criminal case. It is hereby informed that Raj Bhavan. Tamil Nadu is not aware of the criminal case against Thiru. K. Annamalai and has not issued any sanction order.”
Raj Bhavan Press Release No: 23 pic.twitter.com/OFjFZhfb9D
— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) May 13, 2024
The Tamil Nadu government led by the DMK initiated a case to prosecute K. Annamalai, the President of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, for a speech he delivered recalling an incident involving DMK founder CN Annadurai and freedom fighter Muthuramalinga Thevar.
During a BJP gathering in September 2023, Annamalai recounted an episode from June 1956, where at a conference in Madurai’s Meenakshi temple, a child sang a song from the Sangam era for Annadurai. Allegedly, Annadurai praised the child’s singing but remarked that in ancient times, people might have credited her talent to consuming holy milk from Goddess Umaiyaval. Annamalai further claimed that Muthuramalinga Thevar opposed Annadurai’s comments, asserting the sanctity of the temple and the beliefs associated with it.
Annamalai also suggested that Annadurai was compelled to apologize and hide in Madurai due to Thevar’s reaction, though historical records vary on the specifics of the incident. While some sources mention Thevar’s strong disapproval, others do not corroborate the details provided by Annamalai. Notably, there is no newspaper evidence supporting Thevar’s alleged statement regarding conducting a blood abhishekam.
Citing a complaint by V. Piyush, described as an ‘activist’ and Dravidianist, the DMK government has sought permission to prosecute Annamalai for hate speech, alleging that his remarks aimed to stoke discord among groups. In response, Annamalai criticized the government for targeting him over a historical anecdote while seemingly overlooking other issues, such as alleged ties between the DMK and individuals involved in illegal activities like drug trafficking.
Annamalai said, “In the last 3 years, the draconian DMK Govt has filed plenty of cases against me & our BJP Karyakarthas for speaking the truth & has recently issued a sanction to prosecute me yet again. Issue sanctions to prosecute for recalling an event in the past & awarding plum party positions to Drug peddlers reflects the true nature of this DMK Govt in TN. I wholeheartedly thank the DMK Govt for allowing us to recall what Deivathirumaganar Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar said in 1956, which they wish to erase from people’s memories.”
He further added “Our message to the DMK Govt: You can’t stop us from exposing what is what. File as many cases as you want!”
In the last 3 years, the draconian DMK Govt has filed plenty of cases against me & our BJP Karyakarthas for speaking the truth & has recently issued a sanction to prosecute me yet again.
Issue sanctions to prosecute for recalling an event in the past & awarding plum party… pic.twitter.com/jfuDHXSdXH
— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) May 12, 2024
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.