Chennai, Jan 24 (UNI) The Madras High Court today dismissed
as withdrawn, a petition filed by Dravidar Viduthalai Kahzagam
seeking actin against actor Rajinikanth for his controversial
remarks against Rationalist leader Periyar.
When the petition came up for hearing, Justice P Rajamanickam
asked why the petitioner moved the court within 15 days after
lodging a complaint with the police seeking to register cases
against the actor.
He said the petitioner should have moved the court after giving
enough time for the police to act on the complaint.
When the Judge said listing the petition itself was wrong, the
petitioner agreed to withdraw the plea after which the court
dismissed it.
Terming Periyar as a tall leader and his social reform policies
were important, the court observed that his principles could
not be denied and the court could function only as per the rules.
Rajini, while speaking at the 50th anniversary of Thuglaq
magazine event, stoked a controversy saying in the 1971
rally against superstition taken out by Periyar in Salem,
unclothed idols of Lord Ram and Sita were taken and were
garlanded with chappals.
This triggered protest from pro-Periyarist organisations,
who have filed a case in the High court demanding action
against Rajini and also staging protests demanding an
apology.
However, the actor said he would neither express regret
nor apologise as he had spoken only what had appeared
in the media.
While various political parties condemned his remarks,
leaders of BJP supported his view, saying the actor had
spoken only what had happened.
UNI GV 1618