Chennai: It was a day of developments with dramatic twists and turns, as BJP State president L Murugan commenced Vetrivel Yathirai from Chennai this morning. Though the government said yesterday that permission was not granted to the political-pilgrimage, police however gave it today.
But, when Murugan reached (Lord) Murugan’s place Tiruttani, one of His six abodes, police arrested him.
The arrest was made after Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that the law will ‘do its duty’ in the Vetrivel Yathirai issue, this afternoon. Following the arrest BJP cadres tried to stage protests in several parts of the State.
Despite the State government denying permission for BJP’s Yathirai, the party’s cadres today started to gather in large numbers in Chennai to begin the trip to Tiruttani. They did it in other parts of the State too and were stopped by the police.
Murugan, speaking to the media in Chennai, said that they have begun the Yatra with the blessings of Lord Murugan.
Senior BJP leader H Raja said that the Yatra is being conducted to show the truth to DMK president M K Stalin and others who talk ill of Hindus.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, BJP cadres started gathering near the Tiruttani Murugan temple. Police protection was given at important places including ghat road leading to Murugan temple.
It may be noted that Tamilnadu government yesterday said that permission cannot be given for the BJP’s Vel Yathirai.
Submitting its response at the Madras High Court today, the State government said that with the present coronavirus situation it is not possible to give permission for protests and rallies.
Advocate General Vijay Narayanan said that though there has been relaxations announced in the lockdown still orders are being issued to control the gathering of crowd.
“So far permission has been given to hold meetings with only 100 participants,” he said.