DPI demands apology from Mani Shankar Aiyar

Tiruchirapalli, Nov 28 (UNI) The Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), an ally of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, today demanded an apology from Union Minister of Panchayat Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar for receiving Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who arrived here for the Asian Mayors Conference, and inviting him to his daughter's marriage.

Talking to newspersons here, DPI Supremo Thol Thirumavalavan said Mr Aiyar's action amounted to insulting the sentiments of Tamils.

He said his party would organise agitations against Mr Aiyar, if he failed to render an apology to the people within a week.

If joint patrolling of the Indian Navy with the Sri Lankan Navy materialised, it would create distress in the region, he said.

He said he had requested Central Zone Inspector General of Police M S Jaffar Sait not to take action against innocent Dalits in delta districts, who were being affected by raids of special police teams formed to nab anti-socials.

UNI GSM BDP HT2004