Clashes Erupt as Rival Groups Protest Over ‘Sanathana’; Over 50 Arrested in Coimbatore
मुख्य बातें
- •Over 50 individuals were arrested in Coimbatore after clashes erupted between rival groups protesting over the term ‘Sanathana’.
- •The Makkal Kalai Ilakiya Kazhagam (MKIK), led by Jeevanandham, organized a procession opposing ‘Sanathana’ and were stopped by police, leading to the arrest of over 40 members.
- •Hindu Munnani, led by Bhojarajan, staged a counter-protest in support of ‘Sanathana’, resulting in a scuffle where a footwear was allegedly thrown and a water bottle was flung in response.
- •Arjun Sampath, leader of the Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK), was detained by police before he could join the protest in support of ‘Sanathana’.
Coimbatore witnessed tense moments on Monday evening as two rival groups staged demonstrations against and in support of the term ‘Sanathana’, resulting in the arrest of over 50 individuals. The conflict unfolded near the erstwhile central bus stand, a prominent location in the city, where members of the Makkal Kalai Ilakiya Kazhagam (MKIK) and the Hindu Munnani gathered separately to voice their opposing views.
According to police sources, the MKIK, led by its district secretary Jeevanandham, organized a procession towards the central bus stand with the stated aim of opposing and eradicating ‘Sanathana’. As the group approached the location, police personnel intervened and arrested over 40 protesters after they continued to raise slogans despite being stopped. The arrested individuals were then transported in a police bus to a nearby facility. The situation escalated further when a smaller group of nine Hindu Munnani members, led by its district president Bhojarajan, arrived at the scene and began raising slogans in support of ‘Sanathana’. Tensions peaked when one of the Hindu Munnani members allegedly threw a footwear towards the bus carrying the arrested MKIK protesters. In retaliation, those inside the bus reportedly flung a water bottle towards the Hindu Munnani members. Promptly, the police intervened and arrested the protesting members of the Hindu Munnani as well.