The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Agitations were spontaneous, says PMK leader

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 21, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Others

Agitations were spontaneous, says PMK leader

Special Correspondent

Mentions "reasonable restrictions" in Constitution

TIRUPATTUR: The agitation against "some persons who have expressed their views against the one man-one woman culture" of Tamil Nadu was spontaneous and not instigated by anyone, S. Ramadoss, founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi said here on Sunday.

In an indirect reference to the views on pre-marital sex expressed in the context of AIDS awareness by actress Kushboo and those expressed by actress Suhasini in support of the former, Dr. Ramadoss told newspersons that the Constitution, which guaranteed the freedom of expression, in Section 19 also provided for "reasonable restrictions on the exercise of any of the rights conferred by the Constitution under the relevant clause on freedom of expression."

He said the Constitution stated that merely because of the right to the freedom of expression, one could not express views that tend to cause breach of public peace and order. It also incorporated provisions that state that no one should express views against any particular section of society or in such a way as to foment clashes between two groups. The law prescribed punishments under Sections 153, 499, 500, 505 and 595 of the Indian Penal Code for expressing such views.

Referring to those who cited Periyar, the founder of Dravida Kazhagam in support of the "new cultural preachers," Dr. Ramadoss said Periyar fought for equal rights and status for women. "Do they accept all the views of Periyar?"

Dr. Ramadoss said at a time when the PMK was concentrating on ousting the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam rule in Tamil Nadu, these "cultural revolutionaries who are supporters of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and who are trying to introduce a culture better than western culture, are trying to divert our attention from our goal."

"You will get the answer at the appropriate time," he said when asked how many seats the PMK would seek from the Democratic Progressive Alliance for the Assembly elections. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led DPA will win all 234 seats in the next Assembly elections, he claimed. About the victory of the AIADMK in the by-elections in Kancheepuram and Gummidipoondi, he said of all the by-elections held in Tamil Nadu since 1956, the Opposition had won only two by-elections.

Asked whether reservation for the Most Backward Classes would be affected by the demand of the minorities for their inclusion in the MBC, Dr. Ramadoss said the PMK had repeatedly sought a Constitutional amendment to provide for separate reservation for the minorities.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu