The police have clarified that their decision to confiscate black scarves during an event in Chennai was an act of heightened precaution.The incident occurred at the international conference held at the Egmore Museum to mark the centenary of the Indus Valley Civilization. The event, inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, saw the participation of students, including several female attendees. Security personnel reportedly denied entry to individuals carrying or wearing black items, including black scarves. Female students wearing black scarves were asked to hand them over to the police before being allowed entry. These items were returned only after the event concluded.
The move sparked criticism, with Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai and Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan expressing their disapproval of the act.
Responding to the backlash, the police issued a statement explaining the situation:
“The officers on duty acted with an abundance of caution to ensure security at the venue. As part of their checks, they confiscated black scarves from attendees before granting them entry. To avoid such incidents in the future, appropriate instructions have been issued to the security personnel.”
The statement emphasized that measures have been taken to prevent similar occurrences in upcoming events.