Pro-Tamil and Anti-Lanka activists attack Aurobindo Ashram with an ugly face.

Members of the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam damage flower pots in the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry on Thursday. Photo: T. Singaravelou.   Photo Courtesy: The Hindu.

SHAME! SHAME!! Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK) supporters attack Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry.

BOSCO DOMINIQUE, TNN & PTI | PUDUCHERRY | 21Mar 2013:: Pro-Tamil activists attacked the Sri Aurobindo Ashram on Thursday, ransacking its office and damaging glass panes to condemn West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s remark that her party will not comment on issues relating to foreign countries. In a surprise show of support, the CM and Trinamul Congress leader, whose party had quit the UPA last year, had said she will back the Centre on whatever stand it takes.

More than a dozen protestors, owing allegiance to the Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK) barged into the ashram located in the heart of the tourist town adjacent to a police outpost and damaged flower pots near the Samadhi (memorial) of the revolutionary-turned-philosopher. The agitated mob also ransacked the ashram office, damaging the glass panes that contained the symbol of Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual collaborator, fondly referred to as ‘Mother’. A police team rushed to the spot and arrested 15 protestors. The ashram is a popular destination for tourists from across the country and the world.

Mamta Banerjee had, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said, “We leave it for the Central Government to decide on such issues. However, the concerns of the state and the sentiments of the people must be kept in view by the Centre, before taking any decision pertaining to foreign country,” she said. “We are deeply concerned about the atrocities meted out to a section of Tamil population in a foreign country,” she said.

PTI REPORTS IN HT :: A group of pro-Tamil activists today barged into the Aurobindo Ashram, damaged furniture and smashed glass panes after reportedly attacking and injuring the watchman.

Police said activists of the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) also smashed flower pots and damaged the notice board, a clock and the ashram emblem atop the main gate.

They also raised pro-Tamil slogans, police said, adding that the reason for the attack was not known.

Ashram sources said the activists hit the watchman on the head before forcing their way into the Ashram. No devotee was present inside as the visiting time had ended, they said.

Police said 20 PDK activists were arrested in connection with the incidents. Cases were registered against them under various sections of the IPC relating to unlawful assembly, causing hurt and damage to property, they said.