BJP leader’s FB post: Scribes hold violent protests

Chennai: Chanting slogans and hurling stones, journalists on Friday staged a protest at the residence of actor-turned-BJP politician S. Ve Shekher after he shared a post that contained derogatory references to media and women scribes.

A senior police official said journalists attacked Mr Shekher’s Mandaiveli house here during the protest, following which 30 of them were taken into custody.

Nobody was injured in the incident, the official said. Mr Shekher was reportedly not present in the house when it was attacked. Some posters put up at the house were, however, damaged.

Earlier, an outraged journalist fraternity denounced the actor-politician over the post, forcing the former MLA to tender an apology.

Mr Shekher was AIADMK MLA of Mylapore in 2006-11.

Earlier, members of various media organisations staged a protest near the state BJP headquarters demanding action against Mr Shekher.

The slogan-shouting journalists held placards including those that said “vitriol” against media should stop.

“No more vitriol. #Boycottshekher,” one placard read, while another urged women in the BJP to “speak up.”

In the line of media fire, Mr Shekher earlier said he had forwarded a friend’s post “without reading” the content, and tendered an apology.

The message was forwarded “without reading the content, by mistake... Was unintentional,” he said.