Published Jun 16, 2026 | 1:04 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 16, 2026 | 1:38 PM
Tamil Nadu ex-Chief Minister MK Stalin. File Photo
Synopsis: What were the concrete steps being taken to make people feel secure? Stalin asked. The ex-CM also questioned Vijay silence despite the unprecedented wave of sexual assault crimes in the city. Other opposition leaders also condemned the incidents.
A day after Chennai saw 12 cases of sexual assault on women and children, former TN Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the state government, questioning Chief Minister Vijay’s silence on the issue.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President tweeted how the Chief Minister had claimed that “efficient officials have been appointed” and a “strong women-led protection force (Singapenn) has been established.”
But concerns about public safety—particularly crimes affecting children—were rising, Stalin highlighted.
His statement comes after a three-year-old was raped and murdered near her home in Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district on Monday. Residents had staged a road roko demanding better policing.
There were 11 other cases of sexual assault, including at a prominent shopping mall in Anna Salai on the day. The Times of India reported that seven of the victims were minors.
Stalin asked, “When will there be a call sheet for addressing public security concerns?”
The DMK leader further demanded to know what concrete steps had been taken to prevent criminals from committing offences without fear, alleging that law and order had deteriorated significantly.
Stalin also criticised the Chief Minister for remaining silent despite his bold promises earlier, asking when Vijay would come out of his “silent mode” and respond to the public’s growing concerns.
Emphasising the seriousness of the situation, he said that when people’s lives and children’s safety are under threat, it was unreasonable to expect the opposition to remain silent for six months.
He warned that if immediate action was not taken, the ruling government should be prepared to face a major protest from the DMK.
On Monday, Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin, in his condemnation of the Gummidipoondi rape and murder, urged the police to identify and punish the real culprits involved in the case.
Udhayanidhi alleged that crimes against women and children were becoming increasingly frequent in the state and accused the government of repeatedly failing to ensure public safety.
Edappadi K Palaniswami also criticised the brutal incident.
Calling the rape and murder of the three-year-old deeply disturbing, the AIADMK General Secretary questioned the state of women’s safety in Tamil Nadu and asked what action the police department and the newly-launched Singappen Force were actually taking to prevent such crimes.
Palaniswami accused the government of focusing on publicity-driven politics, instead of taking serious measures to maintain law and order, while demanding the immediate arrest of all those involved.
(With inputs from Subhash Chandra Bose.)
