Chennai: A mobile shop in Chennai's Richie Street came under attack on Wednesday for selling pens with texts bearing the label, ‘We support CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) & NRC (National Register of Citizens)". More than 80 Muslims gathered outside the shop and raised slogans against the newly enacted legislation.
Videos of the protest were posted online by the BJP state unit and Hindu fringe groups. Members of the BJP state unit claim that the protesters threatened the owner of Arbuda Mobile.
SG Suryah, Vice President of the youth wing of the Tamil Nadu BJP, showed the offending object in his tweet. “While pseudo-seculars and freedom of speech warriors chose to ignore and stay totally away from the incident, RSS and Hindu Munnani went there, brought the police and stood with the poor and threatened shopkeeper who was warned by the extremists. Tamil/National media?" he asked.
Members of the Hindu Munnani group said they have filed a complaint and are waiting for further action against the protesters.
Dinesh Kumar, owner of the shop, said he has been receiving threats since yesterday.
“I wasn’t aware that such words were printed on the pen. When the batches reached the shop, a Muslim boy saw the pen and left. Another person came to the shop, took a picture of the pen with the words and uploaded it on social media," said Kumar. "Since yesterday, I have been receiving threats through calls from many places, but now the shop is open and remains safe with police protection.”
Kumar has also filed an FIR with the police. Officers said they have received the complaint and an investigation is on.
(With inputs from S Annette Beryl Elizabeth)
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