03 July, 2013

Protest in TN over murder of Hindu Munnani leader

 

Hundreds of Hindu Munnani and BJP activists across Tamil Nadu courted arrest on Tuesday protesting against the gruesome murder of S Vellaiyappan, a Hindu social activist. Shops and business establishments in districts like Tiruppur and Kanyakumari remained closed on Tuesday in response to the hartal call given by Hindu Munnani.

Vellaiyappan (45), Tamil Nadu State secretary of the Hindu Munnani was murdered by a gang of unidentified persons on Monday while he was on his way to Ramakrishna Mutt in Vellore.

This is the second murder of a Sangh Parivar leader in Vellore in seven months. Dr V Aravind Reddy, medical wing secretary of Tamil Nadu BJP was murdered in front of his clinic in October 2012. Police are yet to make any arrest in the murder of Dr Reddy.

Vellaiyappan hailing from Sankarankoil in Tirunelveli had made Vellore his second home for the last 25 years. Widely loved and respected for his services to the community members, Vellaiyappan was a familiar face in the districts of Vellore, Thiruvannamalai and Villupuram.

“He was known for his selfless service to the needy and downtrodden. Whenever someone wanted medical treatment, admission in schools for their children or financial difficulties, all they have to do is to contact Vellaiyappan. He was always ready with a helping hand,” Kattumannarkoil Kannan, a long-time friend, told The Pioneer.

Muruganantham, secretary, Hindu Munnai, said Vellaiyappan was engaged in creating an awareness about “love jehad” in the districts. “Last few years saw many Hindu girls eloping with Muslim youth and getting disappeared. Vellaiyappan was campaigning all over the districts pleading with the youth not to fall prey to the evil designs of terrorists,” said Muyruganantham.

No amount of words could console the octogenarian Rama Gopalan, leader of the Hindu Munnani. “Activists like Vellaiyappan are very rare in this country. He was a follower of Swami Vivekananda and devoted his entire life to help the society,” said Rama Gopalan. He stayed in the Ramakrishna Mutt in Vellore, sleeping on the ashram verandah, the Hindu Munnani leader said.

CP Radhakrishnan, former MP and BJP leader who led the protest in Tiruppur said “love jehad” (Muslim youth wooing Hindu girls and make them elope with them under the promise of marrying them) has become a major social evil in Tamil Nadu. “Activists like Vellaiyappan were creating awareness among adolescents and their families. There are people who find such awareness programmes a threat and they may be behind this dastard act,” said Radhakrishnan.

Vellore Police is in the dark about the reason for the murder of Vellaiyappan. He was on his way to the Mutt from the Vellore Fort area where he had gone to address the HM workers.

Source : The Pioneer

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