BJP's Khushbu Sundar detained on way to protest against VCK leader's Manusmriti remark

BJP Tamil Nadu leader Khushbu Sundar was detained by the police on Tuesday morning while on her way to protest Lok Sabha MP and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder Thol.Thirumavalvan's "misogynistic remarks" made in the context of the ancient text Manusmriti.

Khushbu took to Twitter immediately afterward, lashing out at the AIADMK government for denying her "democratic right for a peaceful protest" and questioning the "partiality" of the police in allowing other parties to demonstrate.



"When your journey is cut short by force, you know you are on the right track," she posted to Twitter, adding that the state government was afraid of the VCK's capacity for "riots and goondaism".

The allegation against the Chidambaram (SC) Member of Parliament was that he spoke ill of women while citing the Manusmriti, but the VCK leader claimed he was working for the emancipation of women and was quoted by PTI as saying he meant that the Manusmriti demeans women.

A video clip which went around on social media purportedly showed Thirumavalvan making some remarks, while he alleged "communal" forces were creating a wrong impression that he belittled women. He was booked by the Chennai police on complaint by a BJP functionary.

VCK leaders reacted saying the BJP should make clear whether they stood with the Manusmriti or the Constitution, with general secretary D. Ravikumar saying "opposing the Manusmriti is upholding the Constitution of the country".

BJP president L Murugan hit back saying as Manusmriti was "not in practice now" it was not possible to ban it. "Moreover, India is governed by the Constitution written by BR Ambedkar and not Manusmriti," he said.

Actor-turned-politician Khushbu, who crossed over to the BJP recently from the Congress, said it was highly irrelevant of Thirumavalavan to raise the issue of the ancient text now, and that he was doing so only because elections were near

VCK has two MPs including Thirumavalavan and is part of the multi-party opposition Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu led by the DMK.