TN weaver stages 'begging protest' holding Indian flag, arrested

TIRUVANNAMALAI: A 36-year-old handloom weaver was arrested at Arani Tiruvannamalai district on Tuesday for resorting to a ‘begging protest ’ holding the Indian flag . He was booked on charges of dishonouring the flag and lodged in Vellore Central Prison.

The arrested man has been identified as T Suresh, a handloom weaver in Onnupuram village near Arani.

He was unmarried.

Suresh recently applied for the monetary assistance of Rs 2,500 announced by state government for handloom weavers.

His application was rejected as Suresh worked as a handloom weaver independently.

Following the rejection, Suresh resorted to a protest outside the Arani taluk office. He held a plate in one hand and the Indian flag in the other.

A source, who witnessed the protest at the taluk office, said, “Suresh claimed that his livelihood was affected due to the lockdown. He relied on the free provisions provided at the PDS shop for food. To let officials know about his financial status, Suresh resorted to this ‘ begging protest’ and raised slogans against the state and central government.”

The Arani town police headed by sub-inspector Sundarrajan arrested Suresh.

The SI said, “Suresh was booked under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act and remanded in judicial custody.”