The anti-Sterlite protest in Thoothukudi marks the continuation of a trend of “hierarchy-less bodies” spearheading agitations over the last one and a half years, according to a cross-section of politicians, civil rights activists and administrators.
The trend, which became more apparent in the post-Jayalalithaa period, could be seen during the jallikattu protests of January 2017 and in the subsequent protests against oil and natural gas projects in Neduvasal and Kathiramangalam. Some of the groups, such as the ‘Makkal Adhikaram’ (Authority of People) and the Revolutionary Youth Front, were said to have taken part in the agitation in Thoothukudi on Tuesday, during which 13 persons were killed in police firing.