Date:09/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/09/stories/2003060905590400.htm

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Only peaceful protests against Sandiyar: Krishnasamy

By Our Special Correspondent

MADURAI JUNE 8. The Puthiya Tamizhagam president, K. Krishnasamy, even while making it clear that his party would not resort to any violence against the filmstar, Kamal Hassan's new venture, Sandiyar, today appealed to the State Government and the tinsel world to take firm steps to ensure that movies did not glorify violence or thugs.

Speaking to the media here, he allayed apprehensions that the PT would indulge in violence against screening of Sandiyar. The party activists would only resort to peaceful protests.

The PT would organise an all-party meeting here on June 14 to protest certain remarks made by the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in the Assembly during its recent budget session, against Dr. Krishnasamy and the Pattali Makkal Katchi founder, S. Ramadoss.

The meeting would urge Ms. Jayalalithaa to withdraw her remarks, besides demanding that they should be expunged from Assembly records, he said and added that those who fought for the rights of the oppressed sections should not be accused of instigating caste feelings. Almost all parties barring the AIADMK and the BJP had been invited to the meeting.

Welcoming the State Government's reported move to end usury through law, he said a meeting of parties and welfare organisations should be called by the Government to discuss the issue and evolve a consensus on framing rules to ensure that the proposed law was not `misused' for political purposes.

The PT would not hesitate to move the court if the State Government failed to follow the AICTE guidelines for admissions in professional colleges.