Vaiko protests Rajapaksa's visit, detained

Photographs @MDMKIW

26 May 2014
The leader of the MDMK, Vaiko, was detained after holding a black flag protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, against the visit of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa at the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi, reports PTI.

Addressing fellow protesters today, Vaiko said Rajapaksa's presence would "pollute the sanctity" of the swearing-in ceremony. Vaiko was subsequently detained for 'defying prohibitory orders'.


The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK leader, Jayalalithaa, is boycotting the event, due to take place tonight at 6pm local time.
The MDMK, part of the NDA coalition, had earlier written to Mr Modi criticising the invitation extended to President Rajapaksa, and pointing out that even Manmohan Singh "did not dare to invite Mahinda Rajapaksa to the swearing-in ceremony in 2004 and 2009". 
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