Little did I know yesterday, while I was laid up from a case of bronchitis (apparently precipitated by the consumption of an ice cream in an A/C theatre on Sunday), Madurai was going up in flames. It all started when yesterday morning, the
Dinakaran (a DMK newspaper) published the results of an opinion poll which asked people across Tamil Nadu who should succeed the current Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi (a.k.a. Kalaignar). The poll itself did seem to be politically slanted, with the choice basically being between "M.K. Stalin" and "others." Kalaignar's son, M.K. Stalin (currently the Local Adminstration Minister), got 70% of the vote. Meanwhile his oldest son and Madurai powerhouse, M.K. Azhagiri, registered only 2% of the vote. Kalaignar's daughter Kanimozhi also registered 2% of the vote. The rest of the votes went to "others."
When Madurai DMK cadres saw this poll, they went on the rampage in defense of their local man Azhagiri. Protestors demonstrated outside the
Dinakaran and Sun TV Network offices here, burning copies of the
Dinakaran newspaper. Eventually the mob stormed the building, hurling petrol bombs and burning the offices to the ground. Government buses and vehicles were stoned. Three people were killed in the blaze.
Dinakaran and Sun TV offices on fire
Sun TV employees blocked the highway in protest of the attack, alongside the body of a fallen co-worker.
Protestors burn the
Dinakaran newspaper.
Kalaignar (right) with his son, M.K. Stalin. Can you guess who his son is named after?
Dinakaran and Sun TV offices on fire
Sun TV employees blocked the highway in protest of the attack, alongside the body of a fallen co-worker.
Protestors burn the Dinakaran newspaper.
Kalaignar (right) with his son, M.K. Stalin. Can you guess who his son is named after?
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