Periyar statue unveiling on Dec 9

Srirangam, Tamil Nadu Dec 1 (UNI) Amid strong protests by various Hindu organisations, a life-size statue of Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) Founder E V Ramasamy, popularly called as 'Thanthai Periyar' installed near the 'Rajagopuram' of the historic Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple here, will be unveiled on December 9.

Talking to mediapersons here this evening after inspecting the statue, DK General Secretary K Veeramani said state ministers K N Nehru, N Selvaraj and Tiruchirapalli City Corporation Mayor Sarubala R Thondaiman would be among those participating in the unveiling function.

Asked about the strong protests by various Hindu organisations for installing Periyar's statue near a sacred 'kshetra,' Mr Veeramani said already the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had refused to stay the unveiling of the statue and hence, there were no hindrances.

Moreover, the idea of erecting Periyar statue near the Rajagopuram was mooted in 1972 by Periyar Self Respect Propaganda Forum and even the erstwhile Srirangam Municipality passed a resolution to the effect with the government on January 24, 1973 assigning 144 sq ft land to the forum to install the statue, he added.

When a reporter drew to his attention about the Hindu Youth Forum's decision to observe fast on the day, he replied in a lighter vain, ''fasting is good for health.'' Various Hindu organisations had strongly opposed the unveiling of Periyar Statue near the Rajagopuram, stating that the statue's pedestal 'inscribed with atheist slogans' would harm the religious sentiments of devotees and incur the displeasure of the devout.

Mr Veeramani laid the foundation stone on December 4, 1996 for the statue. But the installation work was abandoned due to stiff opposition by the Hindu fora.

Again, the DK's attempt to do the groundwork in May was also abandoned due to similar reasons.

However, the DK activists began the construction work a fortnight ago and installed the statue.

At this juncture, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had refused to stay the unveiling of the statue yesterday on a petition from the President of the Hindu Youth Forum, Tiruchirapalli.

UNI GSM GM MS RK2210