Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa was admitted to a hospital last month. (File Photo)
The arrest of two men earlier this week by the Chennai police for allegedly spreading rumours about Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's health on social media, has caused alarm, with many people calling it "excessive action."
Satish Kumar, a software technician based in Namakkal, and Raj Kamal, who works in Chennai, have been charged with promoting enmity with an intent to cause riots. They are behind bars now.
While Satish Kumar had posted what the police called "false information" about the Chief Minister's medical condition on his Facebook account, Raj Kamal's post appeared on a Madurai-based entertainment website.
The city police have also registered cases against more than 40 people on similar charges in the last few days and have warned them of a seven year jail term for spreading rumours that could result in law and order problems.
"Suddenly arresting them is an extreme act by the police. We have freedom of expression and to write," said Shanmugavel Sankaran, an IT professional in Chennai.
Another person from the IT industry Senthilnayagam said, "A warning could have been good enough. They could have identified mischief mongers. They should instead ensure there is regular free flow of information" about the chief minister's health".
CR Saraswathi, AIADMK spokesperson, justified the police action. "The police and the party issued warnings and only when they did not stop have they been arrested," she said.
A lack of information about the Chief Minister's health days after she was hospitalised at Chennai's Apollo Hospital on September 22, first led to rumours that she was very unwell.
Top opposition leaders like M Karunanidhi of the DMK demanded that the Tamil Nadu government release more updates and even a photograph to back its claim that Ms Jayalalithaa is recovering well.
They have also questioned state Governor Vidyasagar Rao's statement yesterday that Ms Jayalalithaa's eight portfolios were being assigned to finance minister O Panneerselvam on "her advice."
Doctors have said Ms Jayalalithaa, being treated for a lung infection and on respiratory support, will need to stay longer in the hospital for treatment.
To counter speculation on social media, the AIADMK has launched an online campaign that says, "My Chief Minister is fine. No more rumours."