Need probe by judge: DMK

Chennai: DMK members led by its leader M. K. Stalin staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday protesting against Chief Minister's “silence” on their demand for a detailed inquiry by a sitting high court judge into the events that led to violence on Monday during the pro-jallikattu protests.

After Mr Panneerselvam made a detailed statement on the pro-jallikattu protests and how the movement was “diverted” by anti-social elements after Mr Stalin raised the issue, the DMK MLAs staged a walkoutafter the Chief Minister refused to respond to their demands.

“Though we appreciated the Chief Minister's response to the issue, our demand for a detailed inquiry by a sitting judge of the High Court to bring the truth out was not accepted. The Chief Minister was silent and as a mark of protest to condemn his silence, we have staged a walkout,” the leader of Opposition told reporters inside the Secretariat complex.

 Later, the DMK members participated in the proceedings of the House. Earlier, raising the issue in the Assembly, Mr Stalin said the movement brought back memories of the 1965 anti-Hindi agitation and passing of the jallikattu law was a victory for the students and youngsters who converged at the Marina Beach and elsewhere in Tamil Nadu for a whole week.

He wanted the Chief Minister to concede to his party's demand for a judicial probe and while speaking to reporters, he faulted Mr Panneerselvam for not interacting with the protesters to explain them about the Ordinance. “The Chief Minister who rushed to New Delhi and Madurai immediately failed to go to Marina Beach, which is hardly a 5-minute drive from his office and spend 10 minutes with the students. If the Chief Minister had explained to the protesters the advantages of the ordinance, they would have called off the protest,” Mr Stalin said.