Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president M.K. Stalin was detained by police on Tuesday after he, along with party activists, launched protests outside the Assembly demanding that the state government act to stop the passage of the Ram Rajya Rath Yatra through the state.
Stalin declared that the yatra, which is supported by the VHP, could disturb communal harmony in the state and alleged the government of E. Palanisamy was tacitly supporting passage of the yatra. Muslim groups also staged a protest in Chennai against the yatra.
Despite protests by some groups, the yatra reached Tirunelveli on Tuesday morning. The government on Monday night imposed Section 144 in Tirunelveli; the restrictions will remain in force until March 23. The yatra is currently passing through Sengottai and is expected to culminate at Rameswaram by March 25.
The yatra was flagged off by the Sree Rama Dasa Mission Universal Society from Ayodhya on February 13. The rath carries a replica of the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya and aims to build public support to build the structure.
It is expected to pass through Tenkasi, Kadayanalloor, Sivagiri, Rajapalayam and Madurai before reaching Rameswaram.
(With agency inputs)