Two rallies are taking place outside the Komtar building in George Town, Penang, today - one in support of state Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, while the other to condemn him for alleged links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) movement.

The pro-Ramasamy rally organised by Tamil NGOs started at 1pm, while the anti-Ramasamy protest by Muslim NGOs will begin after Friday prayers, at 2.15pm.

The pro-Ramasamy group gathered on the ground floor of the building, thanked the police for allowing them to assemble to express their feelings, and during their speech, pleaded for understanding from the public towards Ramasamy's involvement in peace talks related to LTTE. 

"He was not only involved in peace talks in Sri Lanka but in Aceh as well, and one involving Hamas, so please don't be influenced by comments made by certain quarters to provoke misunderstanding," Bagan Dalam assemblyperson Satees Muniandy said during his speech.

Ramasamy, who is also Perai assemblyperson, landed in hot water after photos of him "worshipping" an AK47 assault rifle, went viral on social media. 

However, he has denied promoting violence and said the picture was taken at a memorial for genocide victims in Butterworth, in 2015. 

Ramasamy has come under fire from various quarters, including Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, for calling controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik, to be deported to India. 

'Do not twist the facts' 

NGO Tamilar Kular president David Marshel, in his speech, said it is unfair to accuse Ramasamy of terrorism. 

"Please do not twist the facts.

"No country demanded Ramasamy to be deported to face charges but several have asked Zakir to be returned to face claims over his involvement in money laundering and inciting religious violence.

"The real terrorist is not on our side, it is Zakir, he is wanted in several countries," Marshel added.

Social activist Sudhagaran Stanley said the Ramasamy-Zakir clash was not about religion.

"Many good Muslims have also asked for Zakir to be deported. It's a Malaysian issue.

"Asri is an educated person, he should be aware of the facts and not twist it to his advantage," added Sudhagaran, who is political researcher to Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh.

The group finished their rally at 1.35 pm. Northeast District police chief Anuar Omar arrived at 2pm and cordoned off one area for the Tamil activists.