Stage set for unveiling Periyar statue in TN

Srirangam, Dec 16: With legal impediments cleared, the stage is now set for formal uveiling of the bronze statue of Rationalist Leader and Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) Founder Periyar E V Ramasamy Naicker here this evening amid tight security.

The statue was installed by the DK near the 'Rajagopuram' (main temple tower) of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple recently amid strong protests from various Hindu organisations who feared a rationalist's statue with atheist slogans near an important Vaishnavite temple would hurt religious sentiments of the devotees.

However, the DK General Secretary K Veeramani justified the decision to install the statue near the Rajagopuram and cited the examples of Periyar's Statues installed near famous temples like in Palani.

The decision to put up the statue was taken way back in 1970s after getting proper consent from the erstwhile Srirangam Municipality.

Even, the state government had issued an order allocating a piece of land measuring 144 sq ft near the Srirangam Police Station.

However, after a long struggle due to strong protest from the Hindu outfits, Mr Veeramani himself laid the foundation stone for putting up the statue in 1996. But, again it was delayed due to stiff resistance from the Hindu organisations.

After several attempts, the party had succeeded in putting up a life-size statue. Earlier, the DK had announced that Mr Veeramani would unveil the statue on December nine.

However, the cement statue was allegedly damaged by the activists of Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) in the wee hours of December seven triggering sporadic incidents of violence in the state. Later, the DK replaced the statue.

Meanwhile, an anti-superstition conference organised by the DK began this noon at a marriage hall here. The DK volunteers would present cultural programmes on superstition this evening.

A thick security blanket has been thrown over Srirangam Town in view of this evening's function.

Riot control vehicles and fire tenders have been stationed and patrolling intensified to maintain law and order. Armed police are guarding the temple.

UNI