Controversial remarks: Malayalam actor surrenders

Veteran Malayalam actor Thulasidharan Nair, popularly known as Kollam Thulasi, has surrendered before police in connection with a case pertaining to a controversial speech regarding the entry of women into Sabarimala.

The Kerala High Court earlier denied anticipatory bail to Thulasi in the case registered by the Chavara police in Kollam district by invoking various charges related to insulting women, hurting religious sentiments and contempt of court.

On Tuesday morning, Thulasi surrendered at Chavara police station. He would be produced before a local court after recording the arrest and taking his statement, said the police.

Thulasi, who is a BJP supporter, made the controversial speech on Oct. 12 last year during a public function at Chavara to mark a Sabarimala protection march led by BJP Kerala state president P S Sreedharan Pillai.

Thulasi said that women in menstruating age who enter Sabarimala should be torn apart and parcelled to the Supreme Court and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office.

After the controversial statement, the local police registered a case on the basis of a petition. The Kerala Women's Commission also initiated a case against him.

Thulasi then apologised for his statement. However, the Chavara police went ahead with the proceedings in the case against him.