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BJP leaders defy Tamil Nadu govt order, take on 'Vetrivel Yatra'

Clad in saffron shirt and green dhoti with plenty of holy ash (vibhuti) on his forehead and holding a Vel (symbol of Lord Muruga) on his right hand, BJP State president L Murugan today left for Tiruttani to 'launch' Vetrivel Yatra even as the State government had denied permission for the month-long programme.

BJP leaders defy Tamil Nadu govt order, launch 'Vetrivel Yatra'-dnm
Author
Chennai, First Published Nov 6, 2020, 3:40 PM IST

Chennai: President of BJP’s Tami Nadu unit L Murugan on Friday said the party is taking out the Vetrivel Yatra as scheduled as Lord Murugan has granted “permission” for it.

BJP functionaries, led by national general secretary C T Ravi and Murugan proceeded from the latter’s residence in SAF village at Chennai’s Koyambedu to Tiruttani, the starting point of the month-long yatra. The party said yatra would conclude at Tiruchendur on December 6, after covering six abodes of Lord Murugan.

A large number of police personnel have been deployed there to face any eventuality. BJP cadre started gathering around Tiruttani Murugan temple.

Police personnel deployed at Nazerethpet on the outskirts of the city stopped the BJP workers’ vehicles. Party functionaries argued with  the cops.

Whether the police will allow Murugan and other leaders to offer prayers at Murugan temple or arrest them at the outer limits of the Tiruttani town is yet to be seen since H Raja has already said, "If allowed, we will conduct the Yatra and if prevented, we will stage demonstrations." 

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“I want to offer prayers to Lord Murugan and it is my basic (constitutional) right. So, I am going to Tiruttani,” Murugan told reporters, hinting that the denial of permission by the Tamil Nadu government for the yatra would not stop them.

The Tamil Nadu government, ruled by AIADMK, on Thursday said it has denied permission to its ally BJP's 'Vel Yatra' in view of the coronavirus pandemic and in the interest of the people of the state. After the state government made a submission in the Madras high court on the matter, chief minister K Palaniswami said it was not "legally" possible to permit the yatra.

Hindu ideologue and senior BJP leader H Raja ridiculed the AIADMK government for its decision to reopen the schools during the pandemic while denying permission for the yatra citing Covid-19. He said that the party would resort to protests if not permitted to proceed with the yatra.

The saffron party claims that the Yatra is aimed at exposing those acting against the Tamil culture and those who insulted Kanda Sashti Kavacham, Murugan said till now, those who behind the Karuppar Kottam Youtube channel were not arrested. One of the four from this youtube channel - Senthilvasan was working with the DMK IT wing. He also charged that DMK president MK Stalin was behind the Karuppar Koottam since he failed to clarify this issue. DMK's legal wing had extended all assistance to the Karuppar Koottam.  

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