An alleged sexual assault incident at the Anna University campus in Chennai has sparked off a political war of words between the ruling DMK and the opposition parties.
The AIADMK and the BJP targeted the M.K. Stalin government over the law and order situation in the state, while the DMK accused the opposition parties of politicising the issue.
"Those who want to politicise this incident in which an individual student was victimised should note that in the Pollachi sexual assault incident during the previous regime, the victims were afraid to even file a complaint with the police due to pressure from the then rulers," Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian said in a post on X.
கிண்டி பொறியியல் கல்லூரியைச் சேர்ந்த மாணவி ஒருவர் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமைக்கு உட்படுத்தியதாக புகார் அளித்துள்ளார். காவல்துறையினர் விசாரித்து வருகின்றனர்.
— Govi Chezhian (@Govichezhian) December 25, 2024
இது போன்ற சம்பவம் மீண்டும் நிகழாமல் இருக்க பல்கலைக் கழக அளவில் மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டிய நடவடிக்கை குறித்து உரிய முடிவுகள் எடுக்கப்படும் 1/2
He said appropriate action would be taken at the university level to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Terming the incident as "shocking" and "shameful", former chief minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami alleged Stalin had pushed the law and order to the back burner.
"I urge Mr Stalin's DMK government to immediately arrest the culprits, ensure that they receive the maximum legal punishment, and strengthen police work for the safety of women across the state," he said.
சென்னை அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் மாணவி ஒருவர் , இருவரால் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமைக்கு ஆளாக்கப்பட்டதாக வரும் செய்தி அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.
— Edappadi K Palaniswami - Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) December 25, 2024
தலைநகரின் மையத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள தமிழ்நாட்டின் பெருமைமிகு அடையாளங்களில் ஒன்றான அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகத்திலேயே மாணவிக்கு இப்படியொரு கொடூரம் நிகழ்ந்திருப்பது…
BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai, too, hit out at the state government, saying crimes against women are at an all-time high.
"There are some terms that are new to Tamil Nadu. One of them is gang rape. We have been hearing it frequently over the past three years. Crimes against women are at an all-time high. This incident is not only shocking but leaves us paralysed with shame," he said.
"In one of the safest places, Chennai--specifically the sprawling Anna University campus, which has existed for decades--a girl and a boy were attacked. The boy was beaten, and the girl was brutally sexually assaulted, sustaining injuries," Annamalai further said in his post on X.
It is absolutely shocking to hear the news of the Sexual Assault of a Student at Anna University, the premier Institute of TN, situated in the heart of Chennai, by 2 miscreants. @BJP4TamilNadu demands that the miscreants be immediately arrested.
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 25, 2024
Tamil Nadu, under the DMK…
Meanwhile, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and All India Women Welfare Federation held a protest outside the Anna University campus in Chennai, where a female student was allegedly sexually assaulted by two unknown persons.
The protests were staged demanding action against the culprits while university registrar J. Prakash said full cooperation was being extended for police investigation.
According to reports, one person has been arrested in connection with the incident which took place on Tuesday night. The Greater Chennai Police Commissioner's office said the accused is in police custody and an investigation is underway.
Police have formed four special teams to nab the accused.
The alleged survivor is reportedly a resident of the hostel on the Guindy campus of the university. She was on a walk with her male friend after dinner when two persons attacked them.
The assailants sexually assaulted the female student after thrashing her male friend, according to reports.
