THE Tamil Nadu Platform for People's Unity observes Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial Day on January 30 as ‘anti-religious chauvinism day’, every year.

This year, garlanding of Gandhi's statue and taking oath for communal harmony were the activities conducted by the district units in the state. In some districts, this was followed by seminars and small rallies on the occasion. 

At the events, people took oath to oppose all forms of communalism, casteism and gender discrimination, and to uphold the constitution of India and its sovereignty.

In Coimbatore, due to the unnecessary intervention of Coimbatore police, G Ramakrishnan, Polit Bureau Member of CPI(M), could not read the oath uninterruptedly.  The Coimbatore police prohibited the use of words 'Godse', 'Hindu religious fanatics' and 'RSS'. Ramakrishnan rebutted the police and asked the officers about the identity of Gandhi's killer. He said that it was recorded in history that Godse killed Gandhi and he was sentenced to death for the brutal murder. "Without saying his name how can we say who killed Gandhi ji", he asked. After the heated argument, there was some pandemonium, but things turned normal afterwards and the programme continued. Leaders from DMK, VCK, Congress and other parties and organisations attended the programme.

The police have filed a false case on C Padmanabhan, coordinator of the Coimbatore district platform and 20 others.

Ironically, the same day, the Tamil Nadu chief minister tweeted that there was no place for Godse and his followers who killed Gandhi, in this country. But the Coimbatore police seems to be in opposition to his views.

The CPI(M),  CPI, VCK, other parties and individuals condemned this attitude of the Coimbatore police.    

In Chennai, on January 30, leaders from various parties and organisations assembled in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at 5 pm on the Beach Road, Mylapore.

The programme started with the garlanding of the Mahatma Gandhi statue by the leaders assembled there. Kobanna, a senior leader of the Tamil Nadu Congress presided over the ceremony. Former MP and Central Committee member of CPI(M), T K Rangarajan led the assembled leaders and cadres in taking the oath.

G Udayakumar, coordinator of the platform, Bishop Devasahayam, Dawood Mia Khan, Professor Abdul Fasal, A S Panneerselvam and other leaders attended the meeting.

In Madurai, under the leadership of the platform's coordinator, Professor Arunan, floral tributes were paid at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Gandhi Museum, and the oath-taking ceremony was held amidst tremendous participation from various parties and organisations.

In the district headquarters of Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri Kanyakumari, Pudukottai, Salem, Nilgiri, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tanjore, Coimbatore, Perambalur, Virudhunagar and Ramnad, the programme was successful with the participation of leaders and cadres from various secular parties and organisations.