Life-size Bronze statue of 'Periyar' was unveiled at Srirangam

Srirangam, Tamilnadu, Dec 16 (UNI) In an event preceded by controversy, a life-size bronze statue of late Rationalist leader and Founder of Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) Periyar E V Ramasamy Naicker,was formally unveiled near the Sri Ranganatha temple by DK General Secretary K Veeramani, here this evening.

Amidst tight security arrangements in and around Srirangam, Mr Veeramani unveiled the statue mounted on a 12-feet high pedestal,was installed near the 'Rajagopuram' (temple tower). Union Minister for Environment and Forests A Raja, State Ministers K N Nehru and N Selvaraj, also participated in the event.

The Statue was installed by the DK party, recently amidst strong protests from various Hindu Organizations stating that installing the statue of an atheist and the atheist slogans inscribed on the pedestal would hurt the religious sentiments of Devout hindus.

Several parts of Tamil Nadu had witnessed sporadic incidents of violence, following the damaging of a life-size cement statue of Periyar here by the activists of Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) on December 7.

In retaliation, idols of Hindu Gods were desecrated by the DK partymen. Later, the DK party removed the cement statue and replaced it with the Bronze statue.

Under the direct supervision of Tiruchirapalli Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashok Kumar Das, a large number of police personnel, including armed police were deployed.

UNI GSM VV GS RL BD2107