Hyderabad police, in coordination with Tamil Nadu authorities, arrested actress Kasthuri on allegations of defaming the Telugu community during a protest in Chennai. Following numerous complaints filed across Tamil Nadu regarding her controversial remarks, a special task force was formed to apprehend her after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the court.
Kasthuri, who had been allegedly evading arrest, was detained in Hyderabad on 16 November 2024 evening and brought to Chennai. She was produced before the Egmore court, where the judge ordered her to be placed in judicial custody until 29 November 2024. She is currently held in Puzhal Jail.
The arrest has sparked widespread political reactions. Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman strongly criticized the move, calling it unnecessary and a politically motivated act of revenge. Speaking to reporters in the Ariyalur district, Seeman questioned the urgency of forming a special task force to arrest Kasthuri. He said, “It was unnecessary. There is nothing to feel bad or hurt about (her speech). They want to exact revenge and are doing this. They are saying they got hurt by her words, but for nearly 100 years, they are calling the Tamil race Dravidar, how much will we be hurt by it? Who are you to hide my identity and give my race a different name? Who are you? So how much would we have been hurt? Just because you are in power, is this something that warrants arrest? If someone is hurt, then the DMK’s “rented mouths“, their media personnel, their party workers – are they even listening to what they are speaking about others? To debate based on ideology is a different thing. But to make personal attacks, talk about their families, their parents, talking derogatorily about someone’s birth, all that is there – what action have you taken for that? If we file a complaint, are you even accepting it?
Is it so big a crime that you sent a special force hastily to arrest and imprison her? Ok, she said something, that is wrong. But if she has apologized, should you not let go after the apology? You rushed to another state and arrested a woman…is that such a big crime? You are not taking action on the sand mafia, corrupt politicians, those criminals who rape and harass women, robbers, all of them are roaming free.”
(With inputs from OneIndia Tamil)
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