more-in Hundreds of employees belonging to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, on Tuesday, staged a “walkout” from their offices demanding action against BJP leader H. Raja for making derogatory comments against department staff and their families. However, regular pujas and rituals in temples were not disrupted. The staff including executive officers, managers, assistants, clerks, superintendents and conservancy workers left their offices, holding placards and raising slogans against Mr. Raja. They demanded his immediate arrest. “We can bear any comments against us, but not against our families and the women at home. If, as government staff, we have made mistakes, legal action can be taken against us. But passing personal remarks is definitely not called for,” said P. Bharathi, secretary, Tamil Nadu Aranilayathurai Anaithu Sangangalin Kootamaipu. Kootamaipu president N.L. Sridharan said as a leader of a national political party, Mr. Raja should not have spoken such things. “We are planning a hunger fast on 27th of this month against the speeches made by Mr. Raja. Staff who came to know of his speech at Vedasandhur became agitated and wanted immediate action against him,” he said. Employees of a temple in the city said they planned to agitate till the State government arrested him. “We will intensify our protests. A few days ago, a review meeting had to be called off after the staff refused to attend it,” he said.

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