Unidentified miscreants defaced a 16-foot bronze statue of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M. Karunanidhi by splashing black paint on its chest and legs at Anna Park’s entrance in Salem, triggering widespread outrage. The statue, unveiled by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on June 11, 2023, was likely vandalized early Monday, police said, as they launched an investigation, analyzing CCTV footage to identify the culprits.

State Tourism Minister R. Rajendran inspected the site, overseeing efforts to clean the statue and urging swift police action. MDMK chief Vaiko condemned the act as an “insult” to the iconic Dravidian leader, calling for the arrest of those attempting to disrupt Tamil Nadu’s political culture and peace. DMK supporters protested at the site, decrying the desecration of Karunanidhi, revered for his contributions to Tamil literature and politics.

The statue, costing ₹75 lakh, is a popular spot for visitors. Police have registered a case and increased security around political statues to prevent further incidents, appealing for public calm as investigations continue.

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