CHENNAI Feb 7: Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was magnanimous and has virtually put an end to Jayaram’s derogatory remarks about Tamil women in reference to his maid.

A day after members of Naam Tamizhar attacked his house, Karunanidhi in a bid to cool down tempers said since Jayaram has tendered an unconditional apology, there should not be any further controversy over it. Let us remember CN Annadurai’s words – forgive and forget.

Meanwhile the police have arrested a few members of Naam Tamizhar and is on the lookout for its leader director Seeman. The police have included him as the prime accused, and one of those arrested is James the director’s brother.

The Chennai City Police Commissioner T.Rajendran has transferred Inspector KK Murugesan and Sub-Inspector Jayaraman attached to Valasaravakkam police station as they failed to guard the actor’s house even after there were intelligence reports of such an attack.

The actor, who has acted in scores of Malayalam and Tamil films, lives here with his former actor-wife Parvati.

Last Friday, Jayaram's house was attacked by a group of people belonging to Naam Thamizhar outfit for his alleged derogatory comments about Tamil women in an interview to a Malayalam channel.

Karunanidhi, in his statement, warned that police will not be mute spectators if people take law into their own hands. At the time of attack, the actor's wife, mother, daughter and domestic helps were in the house. They had to lock themselves in a room to escape the mob's fury.

Twelve people have been arrested for the attack. Jayaram, who returned to the city Saturday from a shooting schedule, again apologised for his comments which, he said, were made unintentionally.

A group of people, said to be activists of Nam Tamizhar Iyakkam of Director Seeman, attacked the house of Actor Jayaram, damaged window panes and set fire to chairs. They damaged a car parked there and also set on fire some furniture, police said adding nobody was injured. The actor was away on shoot.

Police sources, quoting initial reports, said at least seven persons were arrested after they attacked the actor's house in Valasarawakkam.

Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam was founded by film director Seeman who had been espousing the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils.

The attack was apparently triggered by the popular Malayalam and Tamil Actor's controversial remarks made during an interview to a Malayalam TV channel last week in which he reportedly described his domestic help as Dark,Fat,Buffalo-like Tamil woman.

Various organisations and activists demanded unconditional apology from him following which in a statement here today the actor said his remarks had been misinterpreted.

He said it was a mere joke and not aimed at hurting the sentiments of anyone.

I have been in the Tamil film industry for 23 years and never have I hurt the feelings of Tamils. If at all, my recent comments had disturbed women folk, I set out to seek an apology, he said.

The statement was made in jest at a talk show promoting Jayaram's latest film Happy Husbands. Immediately when Jayaram made the statement, his wife Parvathy, tried to stop Jayaram from saying anything further. Parvathy had mentioned that she feared there would be a backlash for this statement. Asianet could have deleted this statement but they chose not to which has resulted in the aftermath.

Even if its was a joke Jayaram should not have said those words as it was that housemaid who has done all the housework for him and his kids. Jayaram also said about local Tamils coming and enquiring if there are elephants inside his house as him being an elephant lover.



Malayalees can get away from saying anything they want in Kerala but this a lesson for them not to crack Malayalee jokes in Tamil Nadu.

Jayaram, who acted in a number of Tamil films including Panchathanthiram with icon Kamal Hassan,tendered an apology for his remarks with folded hands,saying he did not intend to hurt anyone by his comments.

The actor had reportedly told a Malayalam TV channel recently that My maid is a Dark Fat Buffalo like a Tamil woman, how can I look at her,when asked whether he had taken a second look at his house maid in real life.

I had repeated a film dialogue in a TV show which was my mistake,he told a television channel on his remarks.

City-based advocate A Indrani filed a complaint in a magistrate court here against the actor, seeking punishment for defamation under IPC section 499. She contended that following an interview on a TV channel,the actor was approached by Tamil magazine Kumudam and sought clarifications from him about the comments.

Jayaram had not expressed any regret for his remark but reportedly said that he had made it in a lighter vein,the advocate said,adding,reading the magazine,she was put under mental agony for the actor wanted only degrading Tamil women.