Actor-turned-politician Vijay, leader of the Tamil Nadu Vanniyar Katchi (TVK), met Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Monday, amid mounting outrage over the alleged sexual assault of an engineering student at Anna University in Chennai. The disturbing incident has ignited widespread protests, with many calling for urgent reforms to ensure women’s safety in the state. Vijay has emerged as one of the key figures demanding stronger law enforcement and immediate action against crimes targeting women.
During his meeting with the Governor, Vijay emphasized the pressing need for swift measures to combat the rising incidents of violence against women in Tamil Nadu. The TVK leader called for decisive action to prevent such atrocities, further amplifying the voices of those who have been advocating for a safer environment. His call for a crackdown on crimes against women was supported by Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai, who praised Vijay for addressing the growing insecurity under the current administration.
Vijay presented a memorandum to Governor Ravi, urging intervention to highlight the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. “We met the Governor to discuss the safety of women and the state’s law and order challenges,” said N Anand, TVK’s General Secretary. This meeting marked Vijay’s first significant political engagement since launching his party in October, signaling his commitment to addressing key issues affecting the state.
A strong advocate for women’s rights, Vijay had earlier written an emotional open letter to the women of Tamil Nadu, expressing his anguish over the rise in violence and pledging to create a safer Tamil Nadu. In the letter, he stated, “As your brother, I feel inexplicable pain. We will create a safe Tamil Nadu together.” His advocacy for women’s protection continues to shape his political agenda.
In addition to addressing the issue of women’s safety, Vijay’s memorandum to the Governor also called for financial assistance from the Union government for the victims of Cyclone Fengal, which recently caused widespread devastation in the state. He highlighted the urgency of providing relief funds to support those affected by the cyclone, stressing the need for immediate government intervention.
BJP’s Response and Criticisms
Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai publicly supported Vijay’s decision to meet the Governor, commending the TVK leader for raising concerns about the “insecurity of women under the DMK regime.” Annamalai’s endorsement reinforced the BJP’s stance on improving safety for women and ensuring that the Tamil Nadu government takes swift action to tackle the rising incidents of violence.
However, Vijay’s meeting with the Governor was not without its critics. DMK ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) accused the actor-turned-politician of engaging in “elite politics,” alleging that Vijay was using BJP-style tactics to gain political leverage. VCK leaders argued that Vijay’s actions were more politically motivated than genuine efforts to address the underlying causes of violence.
The principal opposition party, AIADMK, intensified its protests, accusing the DMK government of negligence and attempting to suppress public dissent. Protesters took to the streets, carrying placards reading “Who is the sir?”—a reference to the FIR filed by the victim, in which the accused allegedly referred to someone as “sir.” The AIADMK called for transparency in the investigation and demanded that those responsible for the assault be held accountable.
In a direct response to the growing public outcry, AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami criticized the DMK government’s handling of the case, accusing them of trying to shield individuals in positions of power who may be linked to the crime. He described the situation as an attempt to “suppress democracy” and cover up corruption within the government.
The sexual assault case, which occurred on December 23, has sparked national outrage. The victim, a student from Anna University, reported that she was assaulted by Gnanasekaran, a street vendor, who was arrested on December 25. The Madras High Court has since appointed an all-woman Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the case, further emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
As the investigation progresses, protests and political discourse surrounding the incident continue to grow. The case has cast a spotlight on the broader issue of women’s safety in Tamil Nadu, with increasing calls for stronger laws, better enforcement, and greater accountability from the state government. Many are questioning the effectiveness of current measures to protect women from violence and ensuring justice for survivors of such heinous crimes. The incident is expected to lead to further discussions on reforms in the state’s law and order system and how to address the rising concerns regarding women’s security.
