This is the second part of a three part series of articles. You can read the first part here.
The jihadi outfits became increasingly aggressive on account of the docility of the DMK regime and during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations would try to block placement of Vinayagar Vigrahas, thwart visarjan processions and stone Vigrahas during processions. Attacks on and protests against Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations have increased annually since 2006, and have been reported in pro-DMK Tamil dailies like Dinakaran, Tamizh Murasu and TV channels such as SUN TV and Raj TV. This year however, witnessed widespread violence unleashed by jihadi outfits during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, which drew the attention of the media.
Military training to cadres is a major feature of these outfits. In April 2008, Tamil daily Dinamani reported that MNP was giving “military training” (fully uniformed with arms) to around 1000 cadres (50 from each district) to conduct a ‘Freedom Parade’ on 15 August 2008 (Independence Day), as a show of “patriotism”! The outfit has recruited over 25000 cadre in four years and military training is being imparted to 300 cadre from each district. Though MNP claims to focus on ‘human rights’ and ‘social service’, the daily reported that the ‘Q’ branch police is keeping a watch on its activities. When the MNP took out a rally in Madurai last Republic Day, its wall advertisements reportedly carried the flag of the banned outfit JKLF!
Similar incidents were reported from Karnataka and Kerala.
The pro-Islamic governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala allowed these outfits to conduct the so-called freedom parade in Kumbakonam and Idukki, which was reported on numerous Muslim websites, including twocircles, freedomparade, and dailymuslimnews. BS Yeddyurappa’s (BJP) government allowed a ‘freedom parade’ in Mangalore in 2008; but refused permission in 2009 for Mysore, a communally sensitive town.
Though these organisations claim to be ‘patriotic’ and celebrate Independence Day, they create unrest and try to incite communal violence in the name of the Babri anniversary. Planned protest demonstrations on December 6, 2008 in major cities and towns led to the detention of over 7000 activists. The Pakistani connection of TMMK and Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamaat (TNTJ) is evident from the fact that their activities are reported in Pakistani media.
On February 19, 2009, the Tamil daily Dinamalar reported that the Popular Front of India had organized a massive ‘National Political Conference’ in Calicut (February 13-15 2009), which was attended by member organizations such as Karnataka for Dignity, Manitha Neethi Pasarai, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), National Development Front, etc. It was attended by thousands of cadre and the conference theme was “Power for People”. Incidentally, the TMMK had just then inaugurated its political wing named Manithaneya Makkal Matchi (MMM) meaning ‘Humane People Party’; its leaders also participated in the Calicut conference. Around the same time, Taliban conducted huge rallies in Swat Valley of Pakistan for two days.
In 2011, the AIADMK, which was widely perceived as opposed to terror activities, did an about-turn and aligned with Manitha Neya Makkal Katchi, the political arm of TMMK, known for its active terror cells and behind the murder of Kumara Pandian and his brothers in Tenkasi. The AIADMK alliance with Muslim outfits and communists swept the 2011 Assembly elections; now fundamentalist groups behave as if they are the ruling party.
The results are there for all to see:
May 16, 2011: MMK, a constituent of ADMK-led alliance, which won two seats in the assembly election with the support of the AIADMK, boycotted Jayalalithaa’s swearing-in ceremony on grounds of the participation of Narendra Modi.
October 28, 2011: Pipe bomb planted in BJP leader LK Advani’s yatra route between Thirumangalam and Srivilliputhur, but the State Government put the investigation in cold storage as some of its supporters are directly or indirectly involved in the case. Recently, the Government released a sketch of the suspects in this case after condemnation from all political parties following the brutal killing of Auditor Ramesh in July 2013, a full 21 months after the incident.
July 4, 2012: Pugalendi, a BJP worker, murdered in Nagappattinam.
September 14 to 18, 2012: The banned American movie ‘Innocence of Muslims’ led to an attack on the American emabassy; the arterial Mount Road was shut and vehicles and policemen targetted. Afternoon namaaz was offered on the main road . The Embassy siege lasted four days.
October 23, 2012: Dr. Aravind Reddy, secretary, BJP medical wing, murdered in Vellore.
October 26, 2012: BJP National Executive committee member H Raja attacked in Illayangudi
November 6, 2012: RSS Tiruppur district secretary Anandan attacked in Coimbatore district
December 19 & 22, 2012: Handbills issued by TNTJ in Triplicane area with irreverent comments on Saint Ramalinga Vallalar. Hindu organisations lodged a complaint with Zam Bazaar police; police booked a case against the complainant under non-bailable sections and against the accused Muslim under bailable sections after a station gherao by Muslims.
January 2013: Viswaroopam, a Tamil movie produced by noted cine star Kamalhasan banned by the Government after certification by the Censor Board after 23 Islamic outfits complained that the terrorists in the movie bear Islamic names and some Islamic symbols were attributed to the Taliban. The Chief Minister conceded that the police could not provide security to all theatres; petrol bombs and stones were pelted on cinema halls after this announcement; no arrests were made.
March 19, 2013: Murugan, BJP worker, murdered in Paramakudi
April 15, 2013: Hindu Munnani member Manjunath attacked in Coonoor
April 17, 2013: Hindu Munnani workers Hariharan, Venkatraj and Jayakumar attacked while pasting posters condemning Manjunath attack in Coonoor.
April 21, 2013: Senior BJP leader MR Gandhi attacked in Nagercoil
May 15, 2013: State Government announces memorial for Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in Dindugul.
May 19, 2013: Government allowed Kashmir separatist leader Yasin Malik to address a meeting in Cuddalore. Malik assured assistance to separatist movements to divide India and cited his story of violence and anti-nationalism. No case was registered under relevant sections of the law and the terrorist was allowed to escape.
June 7, 2013: Marriage hall belonging to Suryaprakash of BJP in Ramanathapuram attacked with petrol bombs
June 25, 2012 : A terror training camp was busted in Periyapattanam in Ramanathapuram district. The police detained Islamic fundamentalists from Tamil Nadu, Bihar, West Bengal, Karnataka and Kerala.
July 1, 2013: Hindu Munnani state secretary Vellayappan murdered in Vellore
July 6, 2013: Muslim rally towards the State Secretariat; arrested and let off; no serious cases registered. The rally demanded [i] enhanced reservation from 3.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent, [ii] exemption for Muslims from the Tamil Nadu Marriage Registration Act 2009, and [iii] release of prisoners who have served more than 10 years in jail. Chennai was systemetically jammed on the pretext of this rally.
July 19, 2013: BJP state general secretary auditor Ramesh murdered in Salem
July 22, 2013: Hindu organisations requested shopkeepers to close shops in Karaikal. Goons from a fancy shop owned by a minority chased Hindu volunteers away. The owner allegedly cut himself and went to the police to lodge a complaint. On enquiry the police found the truth and refused to register a case. Immediately, a mob besieged the Collectors office and demanded action against the police superintendent; the police was asked to register a case under section 307 to pacify the crowd.
To be continued…
Niticentral.com, 31 July 2013