Rajinikanth’s supporters have staged protests against the Tamilar Munnetra Padai’s actions.
In a protest organised by the party’s leader Veeralakshmi, an effigy of Rajinikanth was set on fire in Cathedral Road on 23rd May. The effigy was said to have been implanted with small bombs that made it explode as well, according to eye witnesses. The party was protesting Rajinikanth’s entry into politics. While the actor has not explicitly said that he would enter politics, he has dropped enough hints recently.
Registering their disapproval of such tactics, fans of Rajinikanth took to the streets of Chennai. Holding placards and raising slogans in support of the actor, thousands of fans took to the Vannarapettai-Thiruvotriyur highway in a show of solidarity.
An attempt was made to burn an effigy of Veeralakshmi, but the local Police intervened in time. Around forty fans have been arrested.
In Madurai, fans of Rajinikanth succeeded in their attempts to burn an effigy of Veeralakshmi. 15 of them were arrested by the local Police.
Purushothaman, a Rajinikanth fan, told Silverscreen:
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“The thing that we have waited for a long time is finally about to happen. We are going to see the entry of Rajinikanth into politics. Here is a man who can do more good for us than the money hungry politicians. At such a wonderful time, we see so much opposition. Opposition is fine, because our thalaivar said that it is the foundation for a good start in politics. But burning effigies of our thalaivar is not a good thing to do. We condemn such actions. This is why we decided to burn one as well, to register our protest. Usually, we don’t do anything without seeking Thalaivar’s blessing, but now, we could not wait. We had to show our support to Rajini sir and also, stand united before our enemies.”
He also said that they did not fear the system, and would do many such protests if it helps their thalaivar. “Usually, we are law abiding. But now onwards, we will work actively to pull down our Rajini sir’s rivals.”