A section of lawyers on Sunday turned violent, shouted slogans and waved black flags at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in a function at the Madras High Court in protest against his visit.
The lawyers' action led to tense moments at the function, which was also attended by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan and Union Law Minister V Veerappa Moily, to unveil the statue of B R Ambedkar.
As soon as Karunanidhi began his address, some lawyers shouted slogans, threw chairs, waved black flags and attacked two camerapersons of private television channels and snatched their equipment, trying to disrupt the function.
NDTVHindu cameraperson Devaraj was on the spot and was beaten by the lawyers.
The lawyers said it was not right on the chief minister's part to participate in a function after the clash between advocates and police on February 19 last year.
It was Karunanidhi's first visit to the court premises after the clash, in which several lawyers, a judge and policemen were injured.
Madras High Court Chief Justice H L Gokhale gestured at the lawyers to remain calm, but it had no effect.
Top police officers including City Police Commissioner Rajendran and DGP Letika Saran also tried to bring order by asking them to disperse, but they refused to pay heed.
Undeterred by protests, Karunanidhi continued his speech and said he had faced similar incidents in his 70 years of public life. "I have learnt this from late Chief Minister Anna," he said.
"In my political life, I have been arrested by police and lawyers have helped me to safeguard my rights," he remarked, seeking to calm down the protesting lawyers.
However, no arrests were made.
The clash last year had occurred when some lawyers, agitating on Sri Lankan issue, were arrested on charge of assaulting Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy in the court premises.
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