Social reformer Periyar's statue desecrated

A statue of social reformer E V Ramasami 'Periyar' was found smeared with paint at Coimbatore and a youth belonging to a fringe pro-Hindu outfit has surrendered in this connection, police said. Chief Minister K Palaniswami, meanwhile assured of tough action. 'I have instructed the police to take appropriate action and bring the culprits to book,' Palaniswami said at Erode. After the incident, workers of DMK, MDMK, VCK and AIADMK protested demanding strong action against the culprits. Police said a young man in his twenties, Arun Krishnan, who is the Coimbatore south district organiser of Bharat Sena, has surrendered. The desecration comes against the backdrop of the arrest of two men, who subscribe to atheism, for denigration of 'Kanda Sashti Kavacham,' a popular, Tamil hymn held sacred and recited every day by millions of devotees in Tamil Nadu in praise of Lord Muruga/Skanda.