Will not apologise for comments about Periyar rally: Rajinikanth

Chennai, Jan 21 (IANS) Southern superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday categorically refused to apologise for his comments about a 1971 rally led by rationalist E.V. Ramasamy 'Periyar', which has not gone down well with the Dravidian movement leader's followers.Rajinikanth's comments came during the 50th anniversary function of the Tamil magazine "Thuglak" last week.At the Thuglak function, Rajinikanth said that 'in 1971 naked images of Lord Rama and Sita were allegedly displayed in a rally led by Periyar in Salem'. He said that whatever happened in that rally was reported by the media at that time.The followers of the social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam and is known as the 'Father of the Dravidian Movement', had said the superstar's comments were an insult to Periyar. While speaking to reporters here Rajinikanth showed some photocopies of the media reports in support of his comments and said that he will not apologise.The Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK) last week registered a complaint with the Coimbatore police against Rajinikanth for defaming the Dravida Kazhagam (DK) fourder.The DVK complained that Rajinikanth's statement was false and urged the police to file a case against him.The DVK also threatened protests outside the theatres showing the actor's latest movie "Darbar" if he did not apologise.


--IANS vj/dpb/in