Chengalpattu, January 24: A statue of social reformer and Dravidian movement icon EV Ramasamy, popularly called as Periyar, was found vandalised at Kaliyapattai village in Tamil Nadu's Chengalpattu district on Friday by some unidentified miscreants. This incident comes amid the massive controversy over actor-politician Rajinikanth comments about the Dravidian icon Periyar. Rajinikanth Refuses to Apologise For 'Nude Images of Lord Ram And Sita Were Displayed in Periyar's Rally' Statement.

The right hand of the statue was found broken. There were cracks on the head too. A resident, who found the statue broken, informed the police. Police rushed to the spot and covered the bust with a white cloth. An investigation has been launched into the matter. Periyar Controversy in Tamil Nadu: MK Stalin Advises Rajinikanth to 'Think And Speak' About Father of 'Dravidian Movement'.

Reacting to the development, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin said that "It is a condemnable act. The government should take strict action against the culprits."

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The vandalism comes after Rajinikanth on January 14, said, "In 1971, at Salem, Periyar took out a rally in which undressed images of Lord Sri Ramachandramoorthy and Sita — with a garland of sandal — featured and no news outlet published it."

The remark soon became controversial with Dravidian outfits demanding an apology from the actor. Rajinikanth, however, refused to apologise. "I'll not apologise for what I said…I have not said anything out of imagination. I'm saying what I have seen and they (Dravidian outfit) are saying what they have seen," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 24, 2020 03:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).