“DMK’s stand on Article 370 is in support of the terrorist organisations such as Hizbul Mujahideen and Laskar-e-Taiba.”Youtuber Maridas
Youtuber Maridhas has left social media divided with #ISupportMaridhas and #MentalMaridas after his recent video, ‘Is DMK influenced by Pakistan?’
The video that clocked over 167,285 views (as of 27 August) has irked the opposition party in Tamil Nadu.
On Monday, RS Bharathi, MP and DMK secretary, wrote a complaint to the Chennai police commissioner demanding action against him under Section 505(2) of the IPC and IT Act for spreading false information about their party.
Just a few days ago, DMK received flak for a statement made by a party spokesperson on live TV. In a debate on Republic TV on 12 August, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, on the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, Saravanan had told, “Kashmir was never an integral part of India”.
Saravanan had called the ruling party at the centre fascist. He was interrupted by BJP’s Aman Sinha, who said that Kashmir has only been united with India and not been divided, reported The News Minute. In response Saravanan said, “That is your dream. Kashmir was never an integral part of India.”
‘DMK Has Supported Terrorists,’ Alleges Maridhas
On Sunday, Maridhas posted a video claiming there are anti-national elements in DMK. Using visual aids, he also questions why Radio Pakistan’s official handle tweeted about DMK leader MK Stalin’s protest at Jantar Mantar regarding the Kashmir issue.
He even called the civil rights group - May 17 Movement, Dravida Viduthalai Katchi and other parties affiliated to DMK, as anti-national.
Maridhas claimed that “DMK commuted the sentence of convicts and has supported terrorists.” With the help of pictures, he draws comparison to terror groups based in Pakistan. “Has DMK taken money from Pakistan or does DMK have an understanding with terrorist organisations to issue statements?,” he says.
Madurai-based Maridhas is a YouTuber with a massive following of 164,409 subscribers.
He has written a book titled ‘Why I support Narendra Modi’ in 2018. He identifies himself as a social commentator on his Facebook page.
DMK Accuses Maridhas of ‘Peddling Falsehoods’
Meanwhile, DMK, which is the opposition party in the Tamil Nadu State Assembly, took to Facebook to post a copy of the complaint. DMK accused Maridhas of using his following on Facebook and Twitter ‘for peddling falsehoods and carrying out his public mischief’ and making them ‘dumping ground for all offensive content and a one-stop-shop for fake news and communal propaganda’.
Reiterating a statement issued by DMK President MK Stalin on 5 August 2019, the complaint read that DMK had pointed out that,
“the manner of abrogation of Article 370 was anti-democratic, unconstitutional and against federal principles....the support extended by DMK towards the people of Kashmir for their fundamental rights like free speech and assembly, representative democracy and protection from unlawful arrest is being wilfully misconstrued by Mr. Maridhas as support for terrorists.”
The complainant also demanded that action be initiated under the Information Technology Act, 2000 to take down the offending content on YouTube and Facebook and any other social media forum.
Reacting to DMK’s complaint, Maridhas took to Facebook to say, “DMK should stop spreading false information on me and oppose me in an upright manner. They should stop lying that I am creating enmity and answer all the questions that I have asked.”
“If people think that I’m inciting them in the name of religion, I am ready to leave this country. At the same time, I will also voice my support for the Hindus. I don’t have to fake secularism.”Maridhas, Youtuber
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