The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Not against freedom of expression, says Ramadoss

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Not against freedom of expression, says Ramadoss

Special Correspondent

"Protests spontaneous and not instigated by his party"

PROTEST: PMK founder Ramadoss (left) and party president G. K. Mani along with party members staging a demonstration in Chennai on Tuesday. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: The Pattali Makkal Katchi founder, S. Ramadoss, on Tuesday rebutted the charge that he was against freedom of expression.

Talking to newspersons here, Dr. Ramadoss said the demonstrations in connection with the Kushboo-Suhasini row were spontaneous and not instigated by his party. Though he did not deny that his party members were involved in the agitations, the PMK did not advice anyone to act in this manner. Certain things happen out of "deep-rooted emotional upsurge," although he would not argue that they were justified and dignified.

Alleging that a campaign had been going on against him and his party in section of the media, Dr. Ramadoss said he had been "unfairly targeted." His son and Union Health Minister R. Anbumani was of late becoming the focus of the campaign. "Though he (Dr. Anbumani) has been receiving accolades for his performance as Minister, he has not been appreciated by newspapers here," he said.

Dr. Ramadoss contended that when the PMK was abused and verbally attacked in the past, there was no reaction. But, in the present instance, his party was accused of stifling the freedom of expression. "Our stand is that there should be no selective application of the principle of freedom of expression."

Earlier, accompanied by the party president G.K. Mani and others, he participated in a demonstration near the State Guest House.

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