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Chennai Police Arrest MLA Karunas After His Controversial Speech

The MLA was booked by the Chennai Police on 20 September under various sections of the IPC.

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The Chennai Police on Sunday, 23 September, arrested actor Thiruvadanai MLA Karunas, from his residence in Saligramam, days after he was booked for controversial comments during a speech.

According to reports, the arrest took place at around 5 am in the morning and a large number of policemen were deployed at his residence.

The actor-politician was booked by the Chennai city police on 20 September under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Madras City Police Act, for the speech he made in Chennai, which had gone viral on social media. The speech was delivered at Valluvar Kottam in the city.

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Initially, there was speculation that Karunas was on the run. Speaking to reporters in Chennai on 21 September, a day after he was booked, he said:

“I have not gone underground or am not hiding. I am here in Chennai. If such false reports could be circulated against a legislator, it is worrying to think of the problems faced by the common man.”
Karunas, Thiruvadanai MLA

The Speech

Karunas had named Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam in his speech. The actor-politician claimed that though he belonged to the 'Thevar' community, his loyalties stood with the Sasikala camp but many ‘disloyal’ members of his community had flocked to the EPS camp, referring to OPS.

Stating that media outlets were owned by Iyers and Nadars, Karunas also attacked a police officer in his speech, who he claimed stopped him from standing next to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister at an event.

The comments had triggered off a massive row in the state with the Hindu Makkal Munnani filing a complaint with Chennai Commissioner of police AK Viswanathan.

Speaking to Tamil news channel Puthiya Thalaimurai later, Karunas said that his intention was not to hurt any community.

“I didn’t speak against any community... I express my deep regret if whatever I spoke in anger over what has happened has hurt anyone. I will make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Karunas, Thiruvadanai MLA

He also added, “as far as I am concerned, I only spoke about the demands of my community. It is not my intention to demean and speak ill of others.”

(Published in an arrangement with The News Minute)

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Topics:  Chennai   MLA   Arrested 

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