Ban on entry of PMK leader Ramadoss to Cuddalore lifted

The Cuddalore district administration on Thursday repealed its order barring PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss from entering the district following talks between the District Collector and PMK representatives.

The move had invited the ire of even those who opposed Ramadoss. It also led to skirmishes between the police and the party cadre who staged protests on Wednesday.

In January 21, Cuddalore district collector R Kirlosh Kumar had barred the entry of Ramadoss and his close aide, Vanniyar Sangam president and MLA, J Gurunathan, citing concerns over law and order maintenance and communal harmony. The two were to attend a meeting of intermediary castes at Vadalur in the communally-sensitive coastal district the next day.

This was the third such ban that the PMK leader faced — after Ramanathapuram and Madurai — following his comments against Dalit boys marrying into caste Hindu communities including his own, and demand for amending SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

This led to protests by PMK cadre on Wednesday, leading to minor cane-charging by the police. The collector then held a meeting with the partymen, who gave an undertaking that Ramadoss would not make any statement which would fuel animosity between Vanniyars and Dalits in Cuddalore.

Meanwhile, the party has announced a meeting of the leaders of non-Dalit castes and other communities opposed to the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Chennai on January 27. A similar meeting of the forum would be held at neighbouring Thiruvallur district on January 26, said a statement from party president G K Mani.

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