The Tamil Nadu police department has drawn flak from a wide spectrum of political parties and media organisations for filing cases against Tamil channel Puthiya Thalaimurai, which aired a roundtable current affairs programme in Coimbatore two days ago.

The event ended in confusion as a section of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters were up in arms against film director and activist Ameer for his comments about violence after the murder of Hindu Munnani leader Sasikumar as a retort to BJP’s claim that protests over the Sterlite issue in Thoothukudi turned violent owing to anti-social elements.

BJP supporters also protested against remarks made by Kangayam Member of Legislative Assembly U Thaniyarasu, who represents TN Kongu Ilaignar Peravai, a group active in the western belt of the state, in support of Ameer. As chaos and confusion reigned at the venue, Ameer was escorted to safety by Thaniyarasu and others. In the melee, Thaniyarasu supporters claimed their vehicles were attacked by BJP supporters.

However, cases were registered against director Ameer, Thaniyarasu, the channel, which organised the show, and its reporter for coordinating the arrangements, based on a complaint received from the owner of the venue, a college – SNR and Sons College.

The police action has been derided as one-sided and frivolous, while various media organisations have lambasted the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government for using the police to place fresh curbs on press freedom and freedom of speech and expression.

The cases were booked under Sections 153 (A) for promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion and 505 (intent to incite one community against another) and 3(1) of Indian Penal Code against Puthiya Thalaimurai.

Ameer was slapped with the case under Sections 153A and 505 of IPC.

Representatives from Puthiya Thalaimurai were not willing to talk on the issue. Its editor Karthigaichelvan S during a programme last night, however, stated that the channel had functioned in a mature and responsible manner. He also said the programme was broadcast after due editing, and that certain portions related to the verbal exchange between a section of the audience and Ameer had been deleted.

Meanwhile, Ameer said the whole controversy was a deliberate plan by BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh workers present in the audience to disrupt his right to free speech and create communal tensions in the month of Ramzan. “I acted in a responsible manner to prevent any communal situation from erupting. When the verbal abuse got out of hand, I was escorted out from the hall, and taken to the airport with police escort. I have lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police that I am receiving death threats after this Coimbatore incident. All those who speak out against atrocities in society and associate with peoples protests, are being branded anti-national. The police should withdraw the case filed against me. In any case, I am ready to face the case in court,” he said.

Almost all Opposition parties have hit out at the government for foisting a case on a TV channel that cannot be held responsible for comments made by a participant. The views of various political parties during such current affairs programmes, which are aired by almost all channels throughout the country every night, cannot be anticipated by any channel. Much less in the case of individuals taking part in such shows. This being the case, the police action is regarded by all parties, barring the AIADMK and the BJP, as arbitrary and whimsical. Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, M K Stalin, said the move was aimed at curbing press freedom. Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami said the police investigation was on, and appropriate action would be taken. But he denied that the government had targeted a section of the press.

Another development that raises an alarm bell is the shifting of Puthiya Thalaimurai channel by the state-owned Arasu Cable Corporation from its bouquet of state news channels numbering in the 120s to 499, a position which is considered weak for a news channel in Tamil Nadu. Opposition parties see this as a move to thwart the news channel.

The problem for the AIADMK government has been the mounting criticism from fringe groups, and a section of the film industry led by directors Ameer, Bharatiraja and Gouthaman, whose views go viral on social media. Right from issues like Jallikattu, NEET exams, IPL matches in Chennai and Thoothukudi protests against the Sterlite plant and the police firing there, these directors have been sharply critical of the government. The political entry of popular actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, and their strident criticism, has added to the woes of the already beleaguered government.

Nevertheless, the police case on the channel is bizarre to say the least. It is routine for channels across the country to invite panelists from across party lines on debates. These programmes often have panellists indulge in name calling and criticism — to hold channels responsible for what its panelists say will set a new precedent. And a bad one at that.