Handloom weavers in Ranipet district staged a black-flag protest against the campaign visit of DMK MLA and candidate Eswarappan in the Arcot Assembly constituency.
The protest took place at Pachaiamman Nagar in Valaiyapandal panchayat, where residents tied black flags outside their homes after learning that the MLA was expected to canvass for votes.
Police reached the spot and removed the flags. This led to a heated argument between villagers and the police, along with DMK workers, creating tension in the area.
Weavers also showed black flags as the MLA’s campaign team passed through, signalling their opposition. A weaver, Saravanan, said around 200 families in the locality depend on silk handloom work and claimed that rainwater stagnated in their looms for about three months during the last monsoon, leaving them without work and struggling for food.
He alleged that no relief or assistance was provided by the MLA, and said that despite the district being home to Handlooms Minister Gandhi, no steps were taken for their welfare, prompting the protest.
