Sexual Assault Incident Sparks Political Controversy in Tamil Nadu
The sexual assault of a 19-year-old female student at Anna University on December 23, 2024, has triggered a significant political uproar in Tamil Nadu, leading to widespread criticism of the State government for both the incident itself and its subsequent response.
After remaining silent on the issue, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who also oversees Home affairs, was compelled to address the incident in the Legislative Assembly on January 8, nearly two weeks after the assault occurred.
According to State Police, just days following the incident, Gnanasekaran, the accused man, was arrested and claimed to have acted alone. However, this assertion has been challenged by opposition parties, the National Commission for Women (NCW), and various student organizations.
AIADMK’s Campaign and Public Outcry
The Chief Minister responded to growing public pressure spurred by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the principal opposition party. Their campaign, questioning “Yaar Andha Saar?” (Who is that Sir?), gained momentum after it was reported that the accused had communicated with an unidentified individual on the phone, referring to them as “Sir.” The AIADMK posits that more than one person was involved in the assault.
This campaign has resonated widely in the State, with ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) members noting its detrimental effect on the party’s image.
The accused, aged 37, has a troubling history of violence against women. Prior to the assault, he managed a biryani stall near the university. At a press briefing on December 26, Chennai Police Commissioner A. Arun dismissed rumors of a second individual involved, stating, “Media reports had suggested a second person was present at the crime scene, but that is not true.”
Kovai Sathyan, the AIADMK’s national spokesperson, announced plans to escalate the campaign further by deploying 200 vehicles adorned with campaign slogans across Tamil Nadu, emphasizing, “The arrested person has clear connections to the DMK.” Since the Assembly session began on January 6, AIADMK members have been wearing badges promoting the campaign.
Chief Minister’s Defense
In his remarks, Stalin asserted the safety of women within the State, referencing the AIADMK functionary arrested on sexual assault charges as of January 7, involving an investigation led by the CBI rather than State authorities. He reminded the Assembly of the Pollachi sexual assault case, highlighting a past failure of the AIADMK to protect survivors.
Addressing AIADMK members on January 8, he challenged them to provide any evidence to substantiate their claims tied to the “Yaar Andha Saar” campaign, stating they could be asked similar questioning. The AIADMK later staged a walkout, accusing the DMK of shielding the real offenders.
The AIADMK maintains that the DMK is protecting actual criminals, while the DMK rebuts by indicting the AIADMK’s previous record on women’s safety during its decade in power.
On December 30, AIADMK-led demonstrations across the State demanded accountability for the deterioration in law and order, specifically concerning women’s safety.
Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the general secretary of the AIADMK and former Chief Minister, insisted that the campaign aimed to uncover the true perpetrators, stating, “However, the police are filing cases against our party workers.” He pledged that protests would continue until justice was served to the victim, and called for the withdrawal of accusations against AIADMK members.
The AIADMK has alleged that the accused gained entry onto the university campus due to his supposed ties to the DMK. Although DMK representatives have repeatedly denied these claims, the AIADMK has provided evidence of the accused attending DMK events and socializing with a minister. Stalin clarified in the Assembly that while the accused is not an official party member, he could have been a sympathizer.
Key Highlights
- The DMK government in Tamil Nadu faces mounting criticism over its response to the sexual assault incident and the ensuing fallout.
- The AIADMK maintains that the DMK is concealing the actual offenders, particularly following an FIR leak that compromised the survivor’s identity.
- The Madras High Court has mandated a team of women police officers investigate the case, highlighting significant security deficiencies at public universities.
Investigation and FIR Leak
Ground investigations revealed that the accused was often seen at DMK events and was recognized by local law enforcement. Having a history of serious offenses, the revelation raised questions among students about how someone with his background gained access to the university. They also expressed concern about the leak of the FIR detailing the case against him.
Normally, the identity of sexual assault survivors is protected under Tamil Nadu Police regulations, which were compromised when the FIR was briefly accessible online. Although the Police later indicated that 14 individuals had downloaded the document before it was removed, the incident quickly became public knowledge, violating legal protocols designed to safeguard the survivor’s anonymity. The Police have now filed a separate case regarding this leak.
The Madras High Court, on receiving two public interest litigation petitions calling for a CBI investigation into the matter, ordered a team of three female police officers to conduct a thorough inquiry. They also criticized governmental procedures, penalizing the State with a compensation order of Rs. 25 lakh to the survivor for the distress caused by the FIR leak.
Ministerial Statements
In response to the uproar, four State Ministers have challenged the AIADMK’s motives, urging against the politicization of this sensitive issue. Law Minister S. Reghupathy reminded the Assembly of the previous Pollachi sex scandal during AIADMK’s governance, where decisive action was only taken after public pressure. He emphasized, “The DMK is taking prompt action in this case.”
Social Welfare Minister P. Geetha Jeevan accused the AIADMK of attempting to create a climate of fear that would drive women away from higher education. “The women of Tamil Nadu place their trust in the DMK government,” she maintained. Similarly, Kayalvizhi Selvaraj, a Minister with a portfolio for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, cited a recent case where swift legal action led to a stalker being sentenced to death for murder.
Higher Education Minister Govi. Chezhiaan contradicted earlier statements by Commissioner Arun regarding the timing of the FIR submission, asserting that opposition leaders were deliberately causing confusion.
On December 30, actor Vijay, leading the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, submitted a memorandum to Governor R.N. Ravi, calling for urgent intervention regarding the alarming law and order situation in the State, particularly regarding women’s safety. He described the incident at Anna University as emblematic of a broader issue.
Vijay further communicated his distress in a letter addressed to “dear sisters” across the State, expressing how deeply unsettling and painful the incident was and reflecting on the ineffective measures taken by those in power.
Intervention by the NCW
The National Commission for Women (NCW) announced on December 28 that it had taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and established a fact-finding team to investigate and suggest actions. On December 31, NCW shared an update via social media, impinging upon security at Anna University, and engaging with various stakeholders, including NGOs and students.
NCW member Mamta Kumari indicated that their report would soon be submitted to the Central government, questioning how such an offender could freely roam near a university campus.
As the political encounter unfolds over women’s safety, critical issues concerning the severe underfunding and lack of infrastructure at public universities continue to be overlooked. Many institutions, including Anna University, struggle with security challenges due to inadequate perimeter fencing and poorly monitored entry points, calling into question the overall safety of students within these environments.
Challenges in Higher Education
Anna University grapples with the same systemic issues plaguing many public educational institutions—non-operational CCTV cameras and minimal security personnel primarily stationed at main entrances. This starkly contrasts with the tight security measures enforced at nearby Central government institutions like IIT Madras, where access is strictly monitored.
Since August 2024, Anna University has lacked a Vice Chancellor, resulting in significant administrative shortcomings. To address these concerns, a committee of senior faculty and student representatives was established on December 27 to enhance campus safety measures under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment policy. On December 29, Higher Education Secretary K. Gopal instructed universities to execute third-party security audits, indicating a recognition of the urgent need for enhanced security protocols.
On January 7, Govi. Chezhiaan announced the government’s intention to engage with UNESCO to tackle issues concerning women’s safety in educational institutions. Nonetheless, the absence of functional Vice Chancellors at several universities hinders timely and effective responses to security failures, creating an environment where student safety is jeopardized without adequate resources and support.
