Tamil bi-weekly 'Nakkheeran' today faced the wrath of a group of AIADMK supporters, who attacked its office and burnt copies over publication of a report about their leader Jayalalithaa's eating habits, even as the party threatened to sue the publication.
AIADMK organising secretary and former Finance Minister C Ponnaiyan criticised the report in the latest issue which claimed "Amma takes beef" and described it as "mischievous and malicious." Jayalalithaa is referred to as Amma (mother) by her party workers.
He said that MGR (former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran) also did not eat beef, as claimed by the publication. Party advocate Pugazhenthi filed a complaint with the city police seeking action against Nakkheeran, holding that "such baseless reports could create a law and order situation".
Charging Nakkheeran with wantonly trying to tarnish the image of MGR and Jayalalithaa, Ponnaiyan said legal action would be taken against it and asked partymen to boycott the magazine. Ponnaiyan also denied the report that he, along with former leaders, the late K A Krishnasamy and S D Somasundaram, had opposed Jayalalithaa's nomination as propaganda Secretary by MGR.
Earlier, angry party workers targeted the publication's office here at Royapettah, attacking it with stones, glass bottles and wooden logs, damaging property including vehicles, Nakkeran said in a statement.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, angry party workers targeted the publication's office here at Royapettah, attacking it with stones, glass bottles and wooden logs, damaging property including vehicles, Nakkeran said in a statement.
{{/usCountry}}Slamming the attack, Nakkheeran Editor Gopal said there are legal channels to seek reddressal against any articles appearing in his publication and "we are ready to face them". DMK chief M Karunanidhi said he was against attacks on journalists or media offices. In a democracy, issues should be dealt under the legal framework, he said. The Madras Press Club also criticised the attack.