The controversial "Mangalsutra removal and beef banquet" event proposed to be held here by Dravidar Kazhagam on April 14 was today banned by the police and its chief K Veeramani booked on various charges, including promoting enmity on grounds of religion.
"The programme has been banned and a case under IPC booked against Dravidar Kazhagam President K Veeramani in connection with this," Assisstant Commissioner of Police (Vepery) Ayyappan told PTI.
The event has been banned as there were chances of it instigating hatred among communities, being detrimental to communal harmony and breaching public peace and tranquility. Also, a proper permission was not obtained, police said.
The DK leader has been charged with offences including promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion (IPC 153A), malicious acts intended to outrage religious beliefs (IPC 295A) and breach of public peace, he added.
Strongly opposed by Hindu outfits, the event was announced by DK after a Tamil news TV channel last month cancelled a programme "Thaali (Mangalsutra) a boon or bane" following protest from Hindu Munnani, a Sangh Parivar outfit.
"Beef banquet" was announced as a mark of DK's opposition to the idea of banning cow slaughter, beef-eating and a related recent ban in Maharashtra.
In a violent fallout of the Mangalsutra issue, a fringe Tamil group attacked the channel's office here, hurling crackers on March 12, which evoked widespread condemnation from political parties and media bodies.
The police ban on the DK programme comes in the backdrop of opposition from several quarters, including Shiv Sena and Hindu Makkal Katchi, which contended that it was against the Tamil culture. A petition was also filed in Madras High Court
Reacting to the ban, Veeramani in a statement said they would legally challenge the police action.
"Legal steps are being taken against the police order banning the event," he said.
On a petition filed opposing the DK event, the Madras High Court had recently asked the petitioner to approach the police and ordered that action may be taken by police in accordance with law if there was a prima facie case.
The Police Commissionerate has received 25 petitions seeking a ban on the event besides seeking Veeramani's arrest, police said.
