VCK agitates against Pondy Arch Bishop

Puducherry, Mar 19 (UNI) The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) today began its day-long demonstration, demanding the arrest of the Arch Bishop of Puducherry and Cuddalore diocese for allegedly instigating untochabilitiy in churches.

With police giving permission for the agitation, the VCK cadres blocked the road in front of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and staged the demonstration after erecting a pandal.

VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan would visit the venue at 1700 hrs to wind up the agitation.

The agitators were also demanding the arrest of those who indulged in violence against Dalits under the Prevention of Atrocities Against Dalits Act, construction of new houses for the affected, providing adequate compensation and taking steps to abolish untouchability.

The agitation comes in the wake of trouble in neighbouring Cuddalore and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu following the alleged discrimination between Vanniyar Christians and Dalit Christians in churches. In the clash that broke out between the two groups at Elaiyur village in Villupuram district, two Vanniyur christians were gunned down in a police firing. The Arch Bishop's remarks that the VCK was behind the trouble sparked the protest.

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