Chennai: Student Sofia Lois, arrested for raising anti-BJP slogans in the presence of the party’s Tamilnadu president Tamilisai Soundararajan at the Thoothukudi airport, has been detained under non-bailable sections.
According to reports, Sofia, a student of University of Montreal, Canada, has been arrested and charged under three sections, one of them being promoting enmity between communities.
Sofia reportedly shouted, “BJP’s fascist government down, down,” while seated behind Tamilisai on the flight to Thoothukudi. She is said to have repeated it at the airport also.
On a complaint from the BJP president at the Pudukottai police station, Sofia was detained at the airport. She was later arrested.
LEADERS REACT
Reacting to her arrest, DMK president M K Stalin said he would also repeat what Sofia had said, that the BJP’s was a fascist government.
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhgam founder T T V Dhinakaran has condemned the arrest of the student. He charged that Tamilisai’s handling of the issue was neither graceful nor mature. He wanted action taken against BJP cadres who had sent death threats, as stated by Sofia’s father.
Naam Tamilar Katchi co-ordinator Seeman said it was against the principles of democracy to put down those who have opposing views. He demanded that Sofia be released forthwith, unconditionally.
STUDENTS PROTEST
Students of Thiruthuraipoondi government arts college in Tiruvarur district, protested Sofia arrest and abstained from classes today.