Tamil Nadu parties condemn folk singer's arrest

Leading political parties in Tamil Nadu on Saturday condemned the arrest of folk singer Kovan and slapping of sedition charges on him for his song against the AIADMK government's policy on liquor sales.

In a statement issued here, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss condemned the arrest of Kovan and the sedition charges on him and said: "Liquor has become the biggest evil in Tamil Nadu. Lakhs of families have been affected because of liquor."

Ramadoss, however, added that one cannot support some of the tasteless lines in Kovan's song.

The singer was arrested by police on Friday at his home near Trichy, around 350 km from here.

According to Ramadoss, nearly 80 percent of the liquor sold in the state is produced by people in Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and they will not bring in prohibition in the state.

Leader of the opposition in the assembly and DMDK leader A. Vijaykant also condemned Kovan's arrest for his anti-liquor song.

He wondered at the sedition charges against Kovan for his song, urging the government to close its liquor shops and release the singer.

DMK president M. Karunanidhi said the party strongly condemns the undemocratic act of the AIADMK government in arresting Kovan and slapping sedition charges on him.

MDMK leader Vaiko also condemned the folk singer's arrest and demanded his immediate release.