Taking exception to the way the painting was done, VJM founder Velmurugan poured black ink and destroyed the paintings, alleging that the paintings were done in a derogatory manner to defame a particular community's occupation.
Coimbatore: Velmurugan, founder of Vishwa Jana Munnetra Kazhagam, was arrested for desecrating the Kannagi painting on Gandhipuram flyover pillarz alleging that it was bringing disrepute to a particular community.
The paintings painted on the pillars depicted the story of Kanangi and Kovalan in the epic Silapathikaram.
Taking exception to the way the painting was done, VJM founder Velmurugan poured black ink and destroyed the paintings, alleging that the paintings were done in a derogatory manner to defame a particular community's occupation.
Earlier, City Corporation had taken up the task of painting the five great epics Silappathikaram, Jeeevaka Chintamani, Manimekalai, Kundalakesi and Valayapathi on the pillars of the flyovers.
It was an opportunity for school and college students to see the story of the five great epics. In this situation, some people belonging to a community (Vishwakarma) were protesting against these paintings, saying that the depiction of goldsmiths in the paintings brought disrepute to the community.
Speaking to the reporters before his arrest, Velmurugan said "About 4 lakh jewelers are working in the city centre alone and there are doubts whether the Coimbatore district administration is acting in a manner that tarnishes the image of the DMK which is implementing many good projects”.
The Kattoor police have registered a case and arrested Velmurugan (TNPPDL) on charges of causing damage to public property.