Thoothukudi: For the first time since the terrible violence and 13 deaths in police firing last week shook them, the people here cheered and smiled as they gathered in large numbers at the airport and, even at the hospital, to welcome Rajinikanth when he arrived from Chennai to share their grief and offer words of solace.

But within hours, many of these same people turned spiteful towards the superstar slamming him for his “anti-socials infiltrated” statement, which they said 'humiliated' them and put down their 'genuine' protest for Sterlite's closure.





“He (Rajini) was speechless looking at us and shed tears. Those tears made us understand how humane he is”, gushed fisherman Evulin Victoria undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the police action at the GH. But by evening, Evulin had changed his opinion as he came to know about Rajini's 'infiltration' charge.

“He too has betrayed us”, said the fisherman, sounding pretty much bitter. Same was the case with Maria Siluvai, who had forgotten the pain in his wounds and was on cloud nine after Rajini held his hand and told him to take care of his health and look after his family.

“He should not have belittled our struggle by saying anti-socials infiltrated it”, he said. Fifty-year-old Vasanthi was in the hospital looking after her injured son Santhosh. On hearing about the 'infiltration' charge, she concluded that Rajini “did not come here to express his solidarity with us but only to demean us”. Now she is busy canvassing with the injured people, numbering 47, to return the Rs 10,000 the star gifted each of them, as show of protest.

Almost all the political parties, barring the BJP, have slammed Rajinikanth accusing him of insulting the integrity of the protesters by blaming anti-socials for the violence. “Let him go through the list of the 13 dead and identify himself as to who among them was anti-social”, said DMK spokesman TKS Elangovan, Rajya Sabha member.

Ally Congress' state president Su.Thirunavukarasu, State Marxist secretary K. Balakrishnan and VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan voiced similar views while attacking Rajinikanth.