minister and DMK candidate KR Periyakaruppan faced a tense road blockade protest in K. Puduppatti village of S. Pudur union after villagers surrounded and detained his vehicle, demanding restoration of their right to conduct the traditional manjuvirattu event.
Periyakaruppan, who is contesting from the Tiruppattur Assembly constituency and seeking a fifth term after serving multiple tenures as MLA and minister, had entered the village to canvass for votes when more than a hundred residents blocked his car and prevented it from proceeding.
The protest stems from a dispute between two local groups, following which the Malayalam Sattaiya temple manjuvirattu festival was halted after the issue reached court. Villagers alleged that individuals acting in the minister’s name had escalated the conflict, leading to the suspension of the event.
Confronting the minister, one resident said, “Using your name, around ten people are dominating things here. Then why are you coming to this village asking for votes, if this is how your rule is? If you want justice, you should go and stand in court. You won’t get even one vote here, understand.”
As the situation intensified, villagers continued to question him over the issue, insisting that he intervene. However, Periyakaruppan remained inside his vehicle and did not step out to address the gathering.
Responding from inside the car, he said, “If you want justice, you should go and stand in court. Brother, they are asking that you should listen and speak for them. I myself tried speaking so much. I told them to go to court.”
He further added, “What can I do about what the court has said? You have to ask in court. Otherwise, what can Selvaraj do? If it is the court, who can interfere in court?”
Eyewitness accounts stated that while villagers protested under the scorching heat, the minister remained seated inside his vehicle, drinking water and reiterating that the matter lay within the court’s jurisdiction.
Tensions escalated further when some of the minister’s supporters reportedly attempted to prevent youths from recording the incident. This led to a backlash from villagers, who questioned them, asking, “Have you come into our village to threaten us?” before chasing them away.
Following the road blockade, police intervened and held discussions with the villagers. The situation was eventually brought under control, and Minister Periyakaruppan was escorted out of the area.
பூராம்.. கோவக்கார பயலுக.. பெரிய கருப்பனை சிறைபிடித்து கிராமத்து மக்கள் வாக்குவாதம் ..! “தண்ணி குடிக்க வைத்த சம்பவம்”#Periyakaruppan | #DMK | #TNelection | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/G3j4cHdxND
— Polimer News (@polimernews) April 10, 2026
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