Farmer arrested for indecency

Erode (Tamil Nadu), Apr 18: A farmer wearing only a loincloth who turned up at the District Collectorate here to file his nomination as an Independent, was arrested for indecent behaviour.

The farmer, Thangavelu, belonging to Modakurichi constituency in this district, created a flutter yesterday when he took out a procession to the Collector's office on a bullock cart, wearing a loincloth.

Taking objection to his attire, police prevented him from entering the Collectorate and urged him to get properly dressed. The Returning Officer also refused to accept nomination papers from a scantily-dressed candidate.

However, the farmer stood his ground, saying that the Election Commission had not prescribed any dress code for candidates.

Thangavelu said he wanted to symbolise through his attire that farmers were left only with loincloth after being exploited by politicians.

After failing to convince him to get properly dressed, the police arrested Thangavel under the Public Nuisance Act.

The farmer was better known as 'Kovanam (loincloth) Thangavelu' as he had campaigned among voters wearing a loincloth in the 1996 elections. He also created a sensation during 2001 Assembly election by trying to file nomination in the same dress.

UNI