A Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) functionary from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu was arrested on Sunday, 27 January, for uploading a defamatory post about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sathiyaraj Balu had posted a picture on Facebook which portrayed PM Modi as dressed as a beggar, carrying a bowl. The caption read, “Modi arrives to Madurai.” He posted this picture just ahead of Modi’s visit to Madurai.
The Hindu Makkal Katchi and BJP brought this to the notice of the police and lodged a complaint demanding action.
Balu has been booked under IPC section 504 and 505 (2).
Ahead of Modi’s visit to Madurai, a virtual war played out on Twitter with #GoBackModi, #TNWelcomesModi and #MaduraiThanksModi topping the Twitter trends.
Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), also inaugurated the super speciality blocks of Rajaji Medical College (Madurai), Thanjavur Medical College and Tirunelveli Medical College.
On Sunday, there was another incident when the Chennai police clamped down on Casteless Collective, an anti-caste band, from performing a song with the word ‘Modi’ in it. The band was performing at Elliot’s Beach as part of the Chennai Kalai Theru Vizha.
“This is a cultural program. They asked permission (to perform) without any communal or caste-wise discrimination. That’s the basis on which they took permission,” Sub Inspector A Selvakumar said, as quoted by The News Minute.
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