Dravida Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani on May 15, wrote a letter condemning the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam with regards to the meeting between the latter and DMK MPs.
In his statement against Mr. Shanmugam IAS, he wrote “Can the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary behave this way to the DMP MPs?” saying that Mr. Shanmugam’s ‘behaviour’ did not befit the post he is holding.
He added that “He is a man belonging to a low caste that was denied opportunities. Considering that such a man is in high position and having sense of humanity, my pen refuses to write”.
“Why should he create unnecessary shame through this unpleasant act of his? I don’t understand the reason behind this. We express our painful condemnation against the officer.”, wrote Veeramani in his letter.The letter is being seen as casteist in nature carrying the intonation of how can a person of low caste behave in such a manner with DMK MPs. The letter has received ire from different quarters.
On May 13, DMK MPs Dayanidhi Maran and TR Baalu along with Tamizhachi Thangapandian and Kalanidhi Veerasamy had met Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam to submit the petitions received under DMK’s propaganda banner “Ondrinaivom Vaa”. However, the DMK MPs alleged that the Chief Secretary did not receive them properly and had insulted them. Responding to the allegations made by DMK MPs TR Baalu, Dayanadhi Maran, Kalanidhi Veerasamy and Tamizhachi Thangapandian, the Chief Secretary mentioned that he was distressed by Mr. TR Baalu’s twisted statements made in the press about the meeting.