Dalit outfit hurls petrol bombs at theatre against ‘Baahubali’ script

Members of a dalit rights outfit, who were reportedly unhappy over the use of a "derogatory" term in the movie 'Baahubali', created chaos on Wednesday when they hurled petrol bombs at a theatre in the city. A minor fire broke out, which was soon put out. Seven people were arrested.
 In the morning, while a Tamil version of the movie was being shown at the theatre in Tallakulam, members of Puratchi Puligal Iyakkam arrived on two-wheelers and began hurling petrol-filled bottles, police said. They were opposed to the use of the word 'pagadai'- denoting Sakkiliayar people (a sub-caste of dalit) and reportedly considered derogatory- by the lead actor in a war scene in the movie. Several dalit outfits in the state have been holding protests demanding that the word be omitted or at least muted. 

The members threw several bombs, one of which hit the compound wall and caused a minor fire. They soon fled the spot. Theatre workers who spotted the fire rushed towards the gate and put the flames out. City police was alerted. A police force led by deputy commissioner of police A G Babu arrived at the spot and held enquiries with the theatre authorities. 

Based on a complaint, Tallakulam police arrested seven members of the outfit. They were booked under IPC 147 (punishment for rioting), IPC 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapons), IPC 307 (attempt to murder), the Tamil Nadu Public Properties (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act and Explosives Substances Act. 

The accused were identified as P Alagar, 58, of Anna Nagar, A Chithiran, 36, of Vandiyur, T Ulagaraj ,50, G Mookan 58, R Nagaraj, 21, all three of Sakkimangalam, and S Muthumanickam, 62, and B Chandran, 36, from Karumbalai area. 

They were remanded under judicial custody