Chennai: After a statue of Dravidar Kazhagam founder E.V. Ramasamy or ‘Periyar’ was found damaged on Friday in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M.K. Stalin demanded action against those responsible.

“It’s a shameful act as he had voiced support for the Tamils for 93 years,” Stalin said.

Rationalist leader Periyar’s statue’s was found vandalised by unidentified miscreants in Kaliyapettai, near Uthiramer. The statue’s face and hand were damaged.

This incident happens amid the latest controversy over the comments made by mega-star Rajinikanth about the Dravidian icon Periyar.

The actor-politician said last week that a 1971 Salem rally held by Periyar featured unclothed effigies of Ram and Sita that had been garlanded with footwear.

He made the remarks at an event organised by Cho Ramaswamy’s Thuglak magazine, and said the late editor had criticised the rally.