VILLUPURAM: Human rights activists and organisations stated that it was unwarranted to invoke the National Security Act (NSA) against those, who indulged in the desecration of the Periyar's statue at Sri Rangam and consequent damages caused to idols elsewhere.

The activists met here and passed a resolution stating that the existing Indian Penal Code was sufficient to deal with such offences. When there was a widespread demand for scrapping the NSA, which was termed as a black law, its unrestrained usage was certainly uncalled for.

Therefore, they requested the State Government to withdraw the NSA invoked against those arrested in this connection. In another resolution, the rights activists noted that there was no adequate representation of the minority communities in the police, paramilitary and the defence services.

Hence, it drew the criticism from people like Judge Chachar and others that such a composition of these forces had, therefore, tended to act in favour of the majority communities.The Tamil Nadu police too was no exception. For instance, the Erode police had given permission to the members of the Hindu Munnani to stage a demonstration (against destruction of idols), whereas, they had arrested 22 persons, who protested the damage caused to the Periyar statue.

Hence, the rights activists appealed to the State Government to take appropriate measures to make the police free from communal or religious bias.

Government orders

In yet another resolution, they urged the Government to direct the officials to strictly implement all the Government Orders that were passed to ensure secularism. For instance, the Government Order No.7553/66-2 general - M, dated April 29,1973 specifically stated that no religionrelated portraits or idols should be displayed in Government officers.

The rights activists pointed out that Chief Minister, who promised to create a separate department to propagate the rationalist thoughts of Periyar, should make arrangement for the strict implementation of the above orders.

Those who participated in the meeting included D. Ravikumar, MLA of Dalit Panthers of India, K. Balamurugan of Makkal Urimai Koottamaippu, Prof. Prabha Kalvimani of Makkal Kalvi Iyakkam, M. Kandasamy of Tamil Desa Podhu Udamai Katchi, P.A. Luicia of Manitha Urimai Iyakkam, V. Antony Cruz of Child Rights Federation, M.Y. Mustaq Dheen of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, and M. Nagarajan of Pazhangudi Irular Padhukappu Sangham.

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