Tamilnadu: Doctoral student held for FB post

A doctoral student at Annamalai University was detained for allegedly instigating students to hold protest through his Facebook posts here on Thursday night.

CHIDAMBARAM: A doctoral student at Annamalai University was detained for allegedly instigating students to hold protest through his Facebook posts here on Thursday night. The arrested A Kuberan (32) had asked the students of Annamalai University to gather for a protest on July 20 against what he termed as ‘State-sponsored violence’.

A Kuberan
A Kuberan

Just a week ago, journalism student Valarmathi was arrested in Salem and Goondas Act was later slapped on her for ‘inciting’ protests against ONGC projects in Neduvasal and Kadiramangalam.
“The ONGC project should be halted immediately in  Kathiramangalam.  The government should withdraw police from there and immediately release all arrested including Prof Jayaraman. The government should also end portraying students and activists fighting for environmental causes as terrorists. Henceforth, no hydrocarbon projects should be allowed in TN,” said his post.      

He also appealed to the students to boycott classes on July 20 and gather at a particular spot at 10 am.
Kuberan is a doctoral student in sociology here. He is also an active member of  Tamil Dhesiya Periyakkam, a Tamil movement headed by P Maniarasan, who has condemned the arrest. “The police have portrayed the act of appealing to students to gather at a place for a protest as instigating violence.

“Article 19 of the Constitution protects the right regarding freedom of speech. It allows people to assemble peacefully without arms. Tamil Nadu government is taking away this right from us and we condemn this undemocratic action,” he said.
Earlier, defending the arrest of Valarmathi, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that she had been instigating uprising against the Centre and the State.
He had also issued a strict warning that the Act would be slapped if anyone attempted to disturb the law and order of the State.  

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