The Madras High Court on Friday granted relief to Tamil actor Rajinikanth, after Dravidian party, Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam filed a complaint pertaining to the Actor’s alleged derogatory comments against social reformer ‘Periyar’.
The court directed the petitioner to approach the Magistrate’s court and not approach the Madras High court directly.
The Actor stoked a controversy when on January 14th, in a public function organized by the Tuglaq magazine, he claimed that social reformer ‘Periyar’ was anti-Hindu and had insulted the sentiments of Hindus.
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The actor was referring to an incident in 1971 at Salem district when Periyar, garlanded nude images of Lord Ram and Sitadevi with sandals.
The Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam has accused the actor of lying and sought his apology.
The actor while refusing to issue an apology said:
“a controversy has emerged that I said something that did not happen. But I did not say anything that did not occur. I only said what I heard and things that appeared in magazines. Sorry, I will not express regret or apologize.” Rajinikanth told reporters
Meanwhile on Friday, the statue of periyar has been vandalized in Kanchipuram.
Known as the “Socrates of the east” periyar remains a controversial figure in the state of Tamil Nadu.