Thevar magal- A rehearsal?

After a well orchestrated attack on the main Opposition Leader of Tamilnadu, there were more than three versions floated in the regional television. Vasant TV said Jaya came late, much later than her scheduled time and hence there was some skirmishes between AIADMK followers and the police. A policeman was shown in some channel claiming that when Jaya came the massive crowd became impatient as they were made to wait for long and hence they attacked and the result was broken cars. Three people were arrested and the police claim there were no signs that it was preplanned. A minister went even further and claimed that the AIADMK Chief was playing petty politics. he accused her of trying to divert people's attention since she was unhappy with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's growing popularity after his efforts to resolve the Sri Lankan Tamil issue. Jayalalitha firmly and swiftly and probably rightly pointed fingers at MK ALAGIRI, the pet son of the Chief minister and claimed it was a murderous attack akin to the one staged against Indira Gandhi in 1977. 


Actually any of this version could be true and there may be more versions too. But truth can be one only and that is' This is a colossal failure of the Tamilnadu Police'. This clearly shows how much value the police had given to the threat letter Jaya received just a day before from a LTTE friendly person from Canada. Even otherwise they should have cordoned the crowd and then only allowed the motorcade of Jayalalitha as is the practice world over. And if it was not preplanned was the site of incident some quarry, enabling the mob to easily pick up stones enough to damage a motorcade? The site of incident was near the entrance of the samadhi and hence there must have been scores of media men and photographers and video men. How come no one has come out with some authentic information so far? 


One Tamil Daily says there were people atop trees too throwing stones. Don't tell me it was a stone tree and they just plucked them to use and throw. And the Question by Jaya as to how come they targeted her vehicle and the dummy vehicle which follows her particularly is very valid. 
That this could have been a staged affair as claimed by DMK is nothing but a cruel comedy. Even if so, how did the police allow so many stones in an area which had many VVIP people visiting? Both the front and rear panes of Jaya's car were broken clearly showing that it was not an occasional stone which hit it. 


Entry and exit points near Nandhanam signal was closed during most of busy morning hours in Chennai to allow free flow of Milk on Thevar statue. All vehicles including Buses and Lorries were diverted in some sidelines creating massive Traffic jam and confusion and heart burns for commutators. Every evening after work many commutators are stopped in Mount road to allow free passage for the Chief Minister for he always choses that time to return to his house from arivalayam.  But people bear with it because this is the small price we have to pay,  for having leaders and hence to secure them. How come such security was lacking down south. 


The rise of Alagiri has made the southern Tamilnadu a highly insecure zone and law and order is at its lowest now. The police there behave as if they are hired body guards of their Masters and presume their only duty is the welfare of the power lord of south. 

If the Jaya's version is true and looks like it, Then may be she was saved by the Grace of Thevar and it is possible that if she had gone at right time it could have been a more deadly attack. May be the change of time diluted the aggression. Well all this is perception and  In public life, perception becomes the operative truth. The minimum a responsible state government should do is to order an enquiry and provide additional fool proof security to the Opposition Leader. This could be some sort of a rehearsal too for such type of rehearsals were seen in Benazir Bhutto's life too. 

If it can happen to Jaya it can happen to any one else. At least for this the Opposition should close ranks and 'plead' for better law and order in the state. This is a shame.