DMK Govt Gives Nod To Prosecute Annamalai For Recalling 1956 Remarks Against Annadurai

Annamalai stated that he did not disparage Annadurai but highlighted a historical event. He supported his statement with news reports from June 1956, indicating the context of the Tamil Sangam event.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Tamil Nadu unit president K Annamalai revealed on Sunday that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government has given approval to prosecute him for recounting an incident from 1956 involving DMK founder C N Annadurai and freedom fighter Muthuramalinga Thevar.

In an X post, Annamalai shared a copy of the government sanction, stating, "In the last 3 years, the draconian DMK Govt has filed plenty of cases against me & our BJP Karyakarthas for speaking the truth & has recently issued a sanction to prosecute me yet again." He added that the sanction was for recalling a historical event. 

Annamalai remarked, "I wholeheartedly thank the DMK Govt for allowing us to recall what Deivathirumaganar Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar said in 1956, which they wish to erase from people's memories." He affirmed that they would continue to expose the truth despite legal actions. 

The sanction for prosecution was granted under Section 196 of the CrPc, which necessitates prior government approval for offences like promoting enmity (Sec 153 A, IPC). The order followed a request from a resident, V Piyush, to the District Collector of Salem. 

Annamalai's comments during a demonstration on September 11, 2023, triggered the recent sanction. He referenced Annadurai's critical remarks against the Hindu faith in the 1950s, opposed by Muthuramalinga Thevar. 

Clarifying his stance, Annamalai stressed that he did not disparage Annadurai but highlighted a historical event. He supported his statement with news reports from June 1956, indicating the context of the Tamil Sangam event. 

Asserting the importance of historical accuracy, Annamalai affirmed, "Look at history as history. I am very clear. Nowhere will I belittle anyone. I did not insult or underestimate anyone, anywhere; history should be spoken as it was and if it is not liked (by some people), it's okay."

Muthuramalinga Thevar, a freedom fighter and Forward Bloc leader, and DMK founder Annadurai, affectionately, known as Anna, continue to hold major roles in Tamil Nadu.