A rights organisation sought action against All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders in Tamil Nadu, after a girl said she was forced to get a tattoo of J Jayalalithaa on the chief minister’s birthday. According to reports, more than 1,000 supporters and party cadre got Jayalalithaa tattoos on February 23.

The Indian Express reported that the organisation wrote to the National Human Rights Commission and said the girl was forced to get a tattoo in front of several AIADMK ministers, including former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. It also asked the commission to draw up guidelines to prevent exploitation of children at political events.

The party later said the girl had issued a statement saying nobody forced her to get the tattoo. However, the AIADMK removed MK Ashok, who had organised the event in Chennai, from all party posts.