Mutt Jeeyar's call for violence condemned

Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar of Srivilliputtur's Manavala Mamunigal Mutt, who is spearheading the protest against lyricist Vairamuthu for his alleged derogatory remark on Vaishnavite minstrel Andal has himself landed in a controversy after he threatened to "pelt stones and hurl soda bottles" if someone holds a street corner meeting criticising Hindu Gods.

Ramanuja Jeeyar's speech inciting violence has been condemned by most political parties, including the ruling AIADMK and DMK.

The Jeeyar has now set a new deadline of February 3 for Vairamuthu to publicly apologise for his remarks against Andal, the saint-poetess revered among the 12 Alwars. At a meeting along with Sri Shendalangaara Sampathkumara Ramanuja Jeeyar of Mannargudi, he also called upon the Hindus to be prepared to "come together and act as per their instruction if the poet did not tender is apology by February at Srivilliputhur".

Senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar condemned the Jeeyar for his irresponsible speech and said, "No one has right to take the law into their own hands."