Congress leader EVKS Elangovan has defended the stand of Rajinikanth and Ajith on the issue of actors being forced to attend public functions.

According to him the two stars only expressed their wish that their freedom should be protected. So, it is not proper to threaten them and try to create an image that they are against Tamils. Such threats are against Tamil culture. Besides they also have a right to freedom of speech.

He expressed the hope that the State government would take action against those trying to curb their right to freedom of expression.
It may be recalled that at a recent function arranged by the Tamil film industry to felicitate Chief Minister M Karunanidhi Ajith had pointed out that artistes were some times being threatened to attend these kind of functions.

When Rajini expressed support for his stand the South Indian Film Producers Federation president Guganathan, distributors association president Kalaipuli Sekaran and stunt master Jaguar Thangam condemned both Rajini and Ajith. Some persons subsequently attacked the house of Jaguar Thangam.