Chennai: DMK president M Karunanidhi on Tuesday "strongly" condemned the ban against entry of PMK founder S Ramadoss into Madurai and Cuddalore districts, saying it was "anti-democratic".
"While it is fact that Ramadoss speaks beyond limits, it is condemnable that the (respective) district collectors issued orders banning his entry," Karunanidhi said in a party statement here.
It was 'doubtful' if the officials had acted without state government support to take the 'unilateral' decision, he said.
"I am afraid if we are living in free India; whether the fundamental rights (such as freedom of expression) enshrined in the constitution are being upheld," he said, expressing doubt if such action was meant to 'intimidate' opposition ahead of Lok Sabha polls.
Referring to a slew of defamation cases slapped against opposition leaders including himself, he said those believing in democracy should ponder over if such action was fair.
"In a democracy, it is not proper for officials to take the law into their hands and ban the entry of specific leaders into their districts. I strongly condemn this anti-democratic act," he said.
Ramadoss had recently launched a forum of non-Dalit caste-based outfits to campaign for amendments to SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, to prevent its misuse and "protect women against fake inter-caste marriages".
On December 22, a Dalit organisation had filed a complaint with police seeking action against Ramadoss for his alleged derogatory remarks against Dalit youths.
Karunanidhi was locked in a war of words with Ramadoss on this matter. The district administration of Madurai and Cuddalore had recently banned the entry of Ramadoss to prevent law and order problems.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 14:13