The ruling DMK has now escalated its crackdown on free speech, entering a new phase where it targets opposition voices through arrests rather than responding with reason or counter-arguments. Instead of engaging in democratic discourse, the government is using state power to go after AIADMK IT Wing members, alleging that they “defamed” and “criticised” Chief Minister and DMK leader M.K. Stalin. In a healthy democracy, challenging those in power especially by the opposition is not just a right, but a vital duty. Yet, the DMK appears more intent on crushing dissent than upholding democratic norms.
The latest to face this political crackdown is AIADMK IT Wing member Surya Shankar from Thittai Panchayat in Mayiladuthurai District.
The move has sparked widespread condemnation from political observers, especially with the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on the horizon. As both Dravidian majors ramp up their rhetoric, it’s the DMK that has stooped to undemocratic methods, arresting AIADMK functionaries instead of responding to criticism politically—a shocking display of authoritarian instinct.
In response, the AIADMK IT Wing slammed the arrest, issuing a statement on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle, “The @AIADMKITWINGOFL, has strongly retaliated against the @DMKITwing, for their derogatory portrayal of the General Secretary of the AIADMK, Puratchi Thamizhar @EPSTamilNadu. Following this, various AIADMK functionaries and cadres also condemned the post and demanded its immediate removal, delivering fitting responses.
In this regard, we strongly condemn the Stalin-model DMK government for its arbitrary arrest of Surya Shankar, a member of @AIADMKITWINGOFL from Thittai Panchayat, Mayiladuthurai District, who shared a cartoon of the puppet Chief Minister that is similar to the one they posted. Does the police have the strength to take action against @DMKITwing, which published a derogatory cartoon depicting the honorable Puratchi Thamizhar @EPSTamilNadu with the same swiftness? The people of Tamil Nadu in just ten months will crush the arrogance of this fascist DMK government, which operates with the hubris of power, believing it can do anything and that no one should speak against it.”
மாண்புமிகு கழகப் பொதுச்செயலாளர் புரட்சித்தமிழர் @EPSTamilNadu அவர்களை தவறாக சித்தரித்த திமுக ஐடி விங்கை கண்டித்து @AIADMKITWINGOFL உரிய பதிலடியை அளித்தது. இந்நிலையில், அப்பதிவைக் கண்டித்தும், உடனடியாக நீக்கக் கோரியும் பல்வேறு கழக நிர்வாகிகளும் தொண்டர்களும் தக்க பதிலடிகளை… pic.twitter.com/3DGhNTl1eW
— AIADMK IT WING – SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@AIADMKITWINGOFL) June 19, 2025
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