The Tamil Nadu BJP unit went ahead with its scheduled Vel Yatra despite the AIADMK government announcing that it will not grant permission, fearing it might aggravate the spread of the Covid-19 infection in the state.
The Vel Yatra began from BJP state president Murugan’s residence at Koyambedu in a multi-utility vehicle and many important leaders including the national general secretary C.T. Ravi travelled in the vehicle, followed by a long motorcade.
Murugan and Ravi stood through the sunroof of the car holding the “Murugan’s Vel” in hands and greeted the crowd gathered there.
The yatra started at 9:30 am along the busy Koyembedu road.
As the motorcade left during the peak hour, hundreds of motorists in the Koyembedu stretch were stranded in the traffic and could proceed almost after 15 minutes. The traffic was thrown out of gear till the Yatra reached the Thiruthani Murugan Temple.
The convoy was stopped by the Chennai police at the Nazarathpet, a border between the Chennai and Thiruvallur districts. After repeated requests from the BJP leaders, police allowed only five vehicles to cross the border as they stated that they were on their way only to offer prayers at the temple.
Thiruvallur police detained close to 300 BJP cadres and all the leaders. All BJP leaders and cadres have been lodged in community halls in Thiruthani.
Union minister Kishan Reddy joined the other leaders at the Thiruthani Murugan Temple and the BJP leaders tried to continue their yatra after offering prayers at the temple.
While addressing the cadres, Murugan criticised the DMK for being anti-Hindu and said that the party was behind the “Karuppar Kuttam” YouTube page which was released derogatory contents against the Hindu Gods.
Commenting on the developments Tamil Nadu minister Jayakumar said, “Though there are differences between AIADMK and BJP in their ideologies, they are united as alliance partners.”