Nithyananda scandal: Karunanidhi attacks media

Chennai, Mar 4: Tamil Nadu chief Minister M Karunanidhi expressed anguish over the way the explicit visuals of Swami Nithyananda's sexcapades with a Tamil actress were plastered on newspapers and magazines and aired by TV news channels.

After coming down heavily on the godman for his sleazy act, the DMK leader urged the media to exercise some restraint when it comes to covering such news.

"If they (media) have any evidence of such acts of self-styled godmen, they should hand it over to the government and police to enable them to discharge their duties," the chief minister said.

The video footage of the Swamiji fondling a woman, identified as a Tamil actress, was first aired by Sun TV on Tuesday, Mar 2.

Soon the clips of the footage made their way to various TV news channels across the country, while the still were published in newspapers and magazines.

"I am appealing to you on behalf of the government to refrain from such acts," he told the media as it was not only 'unnecessary' but also might helf certain 'eveil' elements justify their acts.

This unexpected attack on the media by the chief minister is being scrutinized in various angles. The most popular theory making rounds is that the Chief Minister's attack was directed specifically at Sun TV, owned by Dayanidhi Maran's brother Kalanidhi.

The Maran family also owns Tamil daily Dinakaran.

Karunanidhi family owns Kalaignar TV and therefore Sun TV becomes an enemy to its interests and growth.

OneIndia News