As many as 23 cadres of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were arrested by the police when they attempted to stage a black flag protest against Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi in Kattumannarkovil in Cuddalore district on Wednesday.
Mr. Ravi reached Chidambaram by road on the night of Tuesday, October 3, 2023, to take part in the 85th convocation of Annamalai University on Wednesday. The Governor was also scheduled to participate in the Swami Nandhanar Guru Pooja organised by the Tamil Seva Sangam in Adhanur village near Kattumannarkovil at 10.30 a.m.
Cadres of the CPI (M) planned to stage a black flag protest in Theppakulam in Kattumannarkovil at around 10 a.m. As the protesters led by Prakash, district committee member of the CPI (M) arrived at the location, the police prevented them from staging the protest and detained them.
Mr. Prakash said the protest was against Mr. Ravi’s continued and fierce espousal of Sanatana Dharma in his speeches. The Governor was also refusing to clear the Bill banning the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in the State. The Governor’s actions were not only anti-people but were also against the constitution, he said.
