Subramaniam Swamy, the Senior BJP leader, has landed himself in a soup by remarking that it was he who suggested to the Sri Lankan government during his visit to the Island nation last month that it should release all the Tamil fishermen in its custody.

“I, however, told them that it was their prerogative to decide about releasing the fishing boats,” Swamy has said, sparking widespread protests in Tamil Nadu.

In a recent interview to Thanthi TV, Swamy said: “When I had been to Lanka a few weeks back, I argued with the Lankan government in support of Tamil fishermen. I told them to release the fishermen immediately but to keep the fishing boats if they didn’t want to release them. The boats belonged not to the fishermen but to rich landlords.

“I told them that Tamils were crossing maritime borders as there were hardly any fishes within the Indian waters. Therefore, I asked Lanka not to arrest Tamil fishermen in future and told them that it was their prerogative whether to release the confiscated fishing boats or not,” Swamy’s interview said.

Political leaders like Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s Thol. Thirumavalavan have protested strongly against the views of Subramaniam Swamy.

Effigies of Swamy were burnt in many places in the State such as Cuddalore by the Tamizhaga Vaazhvurimai Katchi volunteers and cadres, Indian media reported.