Rajini scoffs at anti-IPL protesters attacking police

Superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday scoffed at anti-IPL protesters for attacking policemen who prevented them from laying siege to the M A Chidambaram cricket stadium, terming it the "worst form of violence".

Posting a muted video of protesters attacking policemen who prevented them from breaching the heavy barricades on the Anna Salai-Walajah Road intersection in Chennai on Tuesday, Rajinikanth tweeted that the worst form of violence in a law and order situation is the attack on uniformed personnel on duty.

"This form of violence has to be tackled immediately as it poses grave danger to our country. We need more stringent laws to punish the perpetrators of attack on police personnel on duty," the popular actor tweeted.

He was commenting on massive protests in Tamil Nadu's capital on Tuesday against the conduct of IPL matches at a time the state is rocked by protests against the non-formation of a Cauvery Management Board (CMB).

At one point, the protesters began attacking the policemen who were providing security to the event.

At the face of it, the comment might look general, but it was clearly directed at Naam Tamizhar, a fringe group headed by filmmaker Seeman, which has been opposing the actor's political entry by raking up his Karnataka roots. Many Naam Tamizhar cadre were arrested in Tuesday's protests.

Rajinikanth's supporters also participated in the protests outside the Chidambaram Stadium.

Twitter users were not kind to Rajinikanth for the tweet supporting policemen,  with many posting videos of his film dialogues against the men in khaki.

A video clip of Rajinikanth's 1991 blockbuster Thalapathi, directed by filmmaker Maniratnam, where the superstar dares a Superintendent of Police to touch him went viral with several social media users sharing it multiple times, seeking to know whether he was an inspiration to Tuesday's protesters.

Many also questioned why the actor never raised his voice against police atrocities on common people.

"Mr. Rajinikanth, we didn't hear anything from you about atrocities happening in BJP ruling states? Why are you so biased? Don't you feel guilty for your seductiveness?" Raja, who tweets through the handle @draja1977, said.