As Chennai erupts in protests over the Anna University sexual assault case, PMK has also called out Kollywood celebrities being conspicuously silent on the issue. While political parties and organizations mount campaigns demanding justice, the once-vocal film industry, including stars known for championing social causes, remains notably absent.
PMK leader Balu criticized this hypocrisy, questioning the selective outrage and accusing actors and DMK allies of prioritizing political alliances over justice. He warned that their silence today could haunt them tomorrow, exposing the industry’s double standards in addressing gender violence and systemic failures.
PMK Protest
In response to the Anna University incident, the PMK has mounted a campaign under the slogan “Am I Next?”. Posters bearing this question were plastered across Chennai ahead of the protest at Valluvar Kottam. Soumya Anbumani, addressing the gathering, called for stringent action against the accused and a thorough investigation into the case, including the alleged involvement of others.
“The safety of our students should be non-negotiable,” she said. “This is not just about one incident but a larger failure to ensure a secure environment for our youth.”
The protest, however, faced resistance from authorities, as the Chennai police denied permission for the gathering, citing security concerns. Despite this, a significant number of protesters assembled, prompting heavy police deployment at the venue to maintain order.
Protest By BJP
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai lashed himself six times with a whip on 27 December 2024 outside his residence in Coimbatore as part of a personal protest against the sexual assault of an Anna University student.
Annamalai had announced the previous day that he would whip himself as a symbolic protest against the incident. He also vowed not to wear slippers until the DMK government is removed from power in Tamil Nadu.
The BJP leader said he would pray at all six temples of Lord Muruga, the revered war deity in southern India. The former IPS officer has been leading the Tamil Nadu BJP aggressively and has been vocal in his criticism of the ruling DMK government.
Annamalai condemned the police for leaking the FIR related to the sexual assault case, which resulted in the identification of the 19-year-old victim, an engineering student at Anna University. He accused the authorities of intentionally leaking the details and failing to ensure the safety and anonymity of the survivor.
The BJP president further alleged that the accused, Gnanasekaran, was not included in the police’s rowdy list despite being involved in several criminal cases already. He claimed that this omission was due to Gnanasekaran’s close ties with DMK leaders and provided evidence of the accused’s affiliation with the ruling party.
Protest By ADMK
The AIADMK IT Wing members staged a protest at the Express Avenue Mall in Royapettah, Chennai, holding banners with the slogan “Who is that sir?” to draw attention to the recent sexual assault of a student on the Anna University campus and to criticize the Tamil Nadu government’s handling of the case. Posters with the slogan “Who is that sir?” have been plastered across several cities, including Chennai, Karur, Thanjavur, and Tirunelveli. The posters also feature hashtags like #SaveOurDaughters.
During the protest at Express Avenue Mall, AIADMK IT Wing members addressed the public, including women shoppers, to highlight their concerns about the incident and alleged lapses by the government. Videos of the demonstration are circulating widely on social media, drawing mixed reactions from the public.
Protest By TVK
Women cadre from the actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam were arrested for distributing pamphlets containing a handwritten letter by Vijay condemning the assault case at the entrance of VR Mall in Chennai. They aimed to raise awareness about the sexual assault incident on the Anna University campus. Similarly, members of the women’s wing of the Karur District of TVK were questioned and arrested after presenting the letter in front of the Karur Government Arts College gate. The police raised concerns about the unauthorized distribution of the letter, causing a stir in the area.
However, very conspicuously absent are the voices from the Kollywood/cinema industry and the allies of the DMK.
Calling out this hypocrisy, PMK leader Balu spoke to reporters. He said, “That is my biggest worry now. The communist party and the left organisations would ensure that awareness is created even for a small issue or human rights violation. They are silent in this case. I really doubt there are any human rights organisations in Tamil Nadu. Did any human rights organization or a human rights activist make a big issue out of nothing in the previous regime? They would conduct protests, speak to news reporters, and make people aware. Even actors who were giving voice to people’s issues – where have they gone now? Why are they silent on this issue? Will they behave differently if it is DMK and in a different manner if some other party is in power? What kind of an attitude is this? Even the parties of the DMK alliance are not questioning and protesting democratically, they will be in a similar situation in the future, and I warn them about it.”
அந்த நடிகர்கள் எங்க போனாங்க? அவர்களுக்கும் எதிர்காலத்தில் இந்த நிலைமைதான்.. கிழித்தெடுத்த பாமக பாலு!#Chennai #TamilCinema #PMK #NewsTamil #Newstamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/I2MljPeZXw
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) January 2, 2025
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