A man hurled his shoe at a statue of Dravidian icon E.V. Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, at Chennai while another one was vandalised near Tirupur on Monday, even as the rationalist’s 139th birth anniversary was celebrated across the State.

Police said they are on the lookout for those who vandalised Periyar’s statue at Dharapuram in Tirupur district, while the culprit in Chennai was overpowered and arrested.

The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), its parent outfit Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) and other political parties condemned the incidents.

AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar said “Amma’s (late Jayalalithaa) government will not tolerate such unacceptable acts. They (the culprits) will be brought to book. Stern action will be taken against them.”

DMK chief M.K. Stalin demanded that those responsible for the incidents be booked under the National Security Act.

Demanding tough action against the culprits, DK chief K. Veeramani said Periyar cannot be defamed by hurling footwear at his statue.