Multiple voice recordings in circulation on WhatsApp have brought to light how even those living outside the country helped mobilise opposition to VCK leader Tirumavalavan’s visit to a village in Thanjavur last month.
Several persons were arrested in a foiled bid to attack the Dalit leader using Molotov cocktails when he was on his way to visit Vadaseri village to hoist the party flag late August.
The recordings, which surfaced in the public domain over the last few days, show that appeals through voice recordings were circulated in the area in the run-up to Mr. Tirumavalavan’s visit. Some of the messages contained highly inappropriate content aimed at inciting caste emotions.
In fact, one Punyamurthy, who in a message states he was residing in Dubai, appeals to caste Hindus to participate in large numbers in a protest against the VCK leader’s visit.
In another recording, the person identifying himself as Senguttavan Vandayar claims that the whole exercise of hoisting the flag was an attempt to intimidate caste Hindus in the village, against some of whom cases had been booked under the Protection of Civil Rights Act.
This is not the first time WhatsApp was being used by caste Hindu groups to communicate with their supporters. A few weeks after the murder of Dalit youth Gokulraj in Salem, one of the prime accused, Yuvaraj, circulated his voice recording that said he was safe and well.
Senior police officers denied any investigation into the WhatsApp messages that were provocative in nature. “We have not received any complaint in this regard. However, such a trend is not good because WhatsApp messages spread fast and can kindle a law and order problem very easily,” said an officer. The official, however, said the police could not completely block the application.
“But the government can interfere and block internet access completely in an area where a law and order problem arises. This will prevent circulation of mails or messages through social media and prevent the issue from aggravating further,” said the officer.
The police could create awareness among people that such messages should not be circulated as it was a punishable offence, he pointed out.
( With inputs from Vivek Narayanan )
