A disturbing incident of sexual assault has shaken Chennai’s prestigious Anna University. On 23 December 2024, a woman, who was in a two-year relationship with a fellow student, was attacked while spending time with her boyfriend at a secluded spot on campus.
Two unknown individuals approached the couple, assaulted the boyfriend, and sexually harassed the woman. The assailants forced her to strip, filmed her without consent, threatened her, and fled the scene. The traumatized victim later reported the incident to the Kotturpuram police.
In connection with the case, police have arrested 37-year-old Gnanasekaran, a roadside biryani vendor from Kotturpuram with multiple pending cases against him. The police have filed charges under Section 64 of the BNSS and are actively investigating the matter.
The victim has also lodged a complaint with the university’s POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee. Meanwhile, the Chennai police, in collaboration with the university, are working to enhance campus security.
However, it has come to light that the accused Gnanasekaran is a repeat offender and a DMK functionary. Pictures circulating on social media show him alongside several prominent DMK leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister Ma. Subramanian.
Celebrity Silence Is Deafening
When the AIADMK was in power, especially following the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, with Edappadi Palaniswami at the helm, the DMK, and its sympathisers were seen commenting and criticising the then government for “wrongdoings”.
Be it the 2015 floods, be it Gaja cyclone, be it the COVID pandemic or the Sterlite protests or even the Jallikattu protests – one could find tons of criticism on the former Chief ministers and the ADMK administration for everything under the sun.
However, things took a 180 degree turn once the DMK came to power in 2021. All those who were highly critical of the state government seemed to have sealed their lips and would only open them to praise the ruling dispensation.
Rajinikanth who showed his ignorance especially with respect to the recent floods and landslide at Tiruvannamalai has not opened his mouth condemning the incident.
Rajinikanth, who released a picture of his ‘angry face’ expressing shock over the custodial deaths of Jayaraj and Fenix during the ADMK tenure, calling for all the officials to be severely punished, has once again gone on mute.
Full-time actor and part-time politician Kamal Haasan who demanded action against the police, judiciary, and doctors involved in the Sathankulam incident was also missing in action. Kamal Haasan called the Manipur violence and the parading of a naked woman, a “clear case for President’s rule,” citing a breakdown of constitutional machinery in Manipur.
Actor Suriya who had made a film on custodial torture titled Jai Bhim, and had issued a ‘strong statement’ against the custodial death of Jayaraj and Bennix stands with his mouth zipped on the gangrape issue and the deteriorating state of law and order in the state.
This deafening silence and selective outrage from these ‘celebrities’ and Dravidian Stockist media are now being called out for their opportunism.
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