Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, the President of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has issued a stern warning to the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu, stating that the PMK’s tolerance has its limits. His remarks came after two PMK-affiliated youths were allegedly set on fire by cadres of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) following a quarrel in Nemili, Ranipet district, on 16 January 2025.
The victims, 22-year-old Surya (A) Tamizharasan and 25-year-old Vijay Ganapathy, sustained severe burns 60% and 25%, respectively. Initially treated at a hospital in Kancheepuram, one of the youths was later transferred to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for further care.
Police arrested 25-year-old Prem Kumar in connection with the incident. Authorities revealed that Kumar and his friends were riding through Nemili on a two-wheeler when Tamizharasan and Vijay criticized him for speeding, which led to a verbal altercation. The following day, as the victims were returning home from a cricket match, Kumar and his group confronted them again. During the scuffle, Kumar grabbed a petrol bottle from the youths and, in the ensuing chaos, some petrol splashed on them. Kumar then allegedly lit a cigarette and set them on fire.
PMK founder Ramadoss in his social media post said that on the 16 January 2025, four people – Tamilarasan, Shankar, Vijayaganapathy and another person – all of them from PMK were sitting and chatting in the playground in Tirumalpur when six people from the VCK, namely Prem, Manikandan, Gopi, Venkatesan from Tirumalpur, and Sathishkumar and Dasarathan from Kilvenpakkam, went there and made casteist abuses. They threatened to the PMK cadres to leave from there immediately, or they would pour petrol on them and burn them all.
“After that, the VCK members who left from there returned after a while and threw petrol bombs at the PMK members. The petrol bombs they threw fell on Tamilarasan and Vijayaganapathy, spreading petrol all over their bodies. As a result, when they fled in fear for their lives, 6 members of the Viduthalai Siruthaigal party surrounded them and set them on fire. The two who were seriously injured are admitted to the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in critical condition and are receiving treatment.“, Dr. Ramadoss said blaming the casteist mindset and rampant drug menace prevalent among the party.
“This is not the first time that the Viduthalai Siruthaigal party has indulged in violence and attacks based on caste. A few years ago, they entered the village of Nelvai and looted the properties of the people there. The situation was brought under control after the PMK staged a fierce protest against it. Their violence, which had been under control for a few years, has now reared its head again. The uncontrolled cannabis trade is the main reason for the frequent occurrence of such violence throughout the Ranipet district, including the Tirumalpur area. The Patali Makkal Katchi has been continuously urging and protesting to control the cannabis trade. However, the cannabis trade continues unchecked to this day. The police, which should have arrested and punished the 6 people who threw petrol bombs at the PMK membe s and brought them to justice, have arrested only two of them, including Prem. They are trying to protect the remaining criminals. The police should immediately arrest the 6 people from the Viduthalai Siruthaigal Party who threw petrol bombs at the PMK members and carried out the murderous attack. The cannabis trade should be eradicated throughout Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Police should also take strict action to control casteist forces so that such attacks do not happen in the future.“, Dr. Ramadoss said.
In response to the attack, local villagers protested late on 16 January, demanding swift action against the accused. Kumar has been charged with multiple offenses, including attempt to murder, causing grievous hurt, and criminal intimidation.
Anbumani Ramadoss, on 17 January, visited the hospital where the victims are being treated and condemned the attack. He stated, “Whoever carried out this act, including Prem Kumar, either belongs to VCK or is affiliated with them. This is not an isolated incident, as there have been similar incidents in the area in the past.” He also linked such violence to the rising drug addiction among the youth and warned that PMK members have been increasingly targeted in such attacks.
Anbumani stressed that the PMK’s patience is not unlimited, remarking, “If the PMK were to respond as it did in the past, it would result in violence. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin must ensure such incidents do not happen again.” He also added, “Being in an alliance with the ruling DMK does not give anyone the right to act with impunity.”
(With inputs From The Hindu)
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