In a recent development in Tamil Nadu, Sattai Duraimurugan, the policy outreach / propaganda secretary of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), has been released after being detained. He was arrested following for making critical remarks against the Tamil Nadu government and referring to a song that ridiculed former Chief Minister Karunanidhi, during the final phase of election campaigning in Vikravandi.
The complaint was lodged by Arun, the district organizer of DMK IT Wing in Trichy district, resulting in a case being registered against him by the district cybercrime police under multiple sections.
Sattai Duraimurugan had referred to an old political song that took political jibes at Karunanidhi. This song has been used in various stages multiple times and at times as campaign song by the AIADMK.
For referring to this song, Sattai Duraimurugan was booked under 196 (1), 192, 353, 111 (1) (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and SC&ST Prevention of Atrocities Act because of the word ‘Sandala’ that comes in the song.
He was apprehended by the Trichy District Cyber Crime Squad while he was in Tenkasi District Courtallam, and subsequently taken to Trichy for investigation at the District Crime Branch office. The arrest sparked condemnation from opposition parties, including the BJP and AIADMK.
Upon being presented before Trichy District Judge Swaminathan, Sattai Duraimurugan faced charges under various sections, including the Prevention of Atrocities Act. The police had requested 15 days of judicial custody, which the judge declined, leading to Sattai Duraimurugan’s release.
Following his release, Sattai Duraimurugan addressed the media, expressing intentions to petition the court to dismiss the case against him. He also made allegations that the government had plotted to harm him, while denying ownership of remarks attributed to him during a public appearance.
Sattai Duraimurugan, “The DMK government tried to stop me by putting 11 cases continuously, and again they are trying to stop me with a false case. We have presented our arguments in court; this is clearly a fabricated case. In my 14 years of involvement in Naam Tamilar politics, I have consistently advocated for Scheduled Tribes and oppressed communities. There are 1800 videos on YouTube, among which 800 videos document the suffering and agony of marginalized people.”
He highlighted instances where he stood up for marginalized communities, such as addressing the oppression faced by Scheduled Castes in Vengayvayal, Melpadhi, Sankarankovil, and Nanguneri. Duraimurugan accused the DMK government of initiating baseless cases to suppress him.
Regarding the controversy over the song he referenced, Duraimurugan clarified, “The song I mentioned has been used in AIADMK election campaigns for 31 years and is widely available on social media. I was quoting that the DMK grew their party with song like ‘Palayamkottai Sirayinile’ and ‘Udhayanidhi Udhayanidhi’. I was quoting the song that there is a song like this, it is a song of ADMK and Seeman have sung it. I did not make derogatory remarks against any community, particularly I swear that I was unaware ‘Sandaalan’ was a derogatory caste remark. I understood that today. They prosecuted me based on that word, but the honorable judge rightfully dismissed the case, deeming it baseless.”
Duraimurugan claimed that the government conspired to harm him. He alleged that during his arrest, the police him brought in his own car, driven by a visibly intoxicated and drowsy driver, with intentions to stage a deliberate accident near Sriviliputhur. Another driver reportedly intervened, foiling their plan. Duraimurugan asserted that this incident led him to believe the government was attempting to assassinate him.
He further accused that, “This (DMK) government is deliberately planning to kill me,” adding that near the Madurai Vilangulam toll gate, a police officer deliberately caused his car to collide with another vehicle, resulting a lorry hit them from back, him suffering back pain and the driver sustaining a head injury. Following the incident, he claimed, the police changed vehicles and transported him in a different vehicle. Duraimurugan emphasized that these actions demonstrated a lack of security under the current regime and appealed to the judiciary for protection.
(With Inputs From PTTV News)
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