When BJP National Secretary Raja commented about the demolition of Periyar statues in the state, many leading politicians and film personalities expressed their condemnation severely namely Sathyaraj, GV Prakash etc. The latest to step up against his insensitive remarks is veteran director Bharathiraja.

Stating that Periyar is a symbol for the Tamil people, Bharathiraja also brought about his achievements like killing superstition and fighting against female oppression. The director also stated that Raja’s statements are not only against Periyar but against the entire Tamil state.

“Periyar’s statue is not the staue of caste extremists. It is the statue of those opressed. If there is not an end to Raja’s behaviour, he might make TN a land rife with riot. Furthermore, the director has asked him pack his things and leave the land, only then preservation of ‘his’ (Tamil land) will be possible.