N Anand, General Secretary of TVK, emphasised the need to improve law and order in Tamil Nadu to ensure women's safety, especially following the recent sexual harassment incident at Anna University
Published Dec 30, 2024 | 4:19 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 30, 2024 | 7:41 PM
Vijay submits petition to Governor, highlights women's safety and cyclone relief issues
Actor and political leader Vijay visited the Governor’s office today, 30 December, where he submitted a petition to Governor RN Ravi, outlining pressing issues related to women’s safety and relief for victims of recent natural calamities.
The meeting, which was scheduled for 1:00 pm, lasted just 10 minutes, with Vijay leaving the Governor’s office shortly after. Although he did not address the media after the meeting, the petition he submitted has brought significant attention to two key concerns.
The petition, presented by Vijay and the TVK party, emphasised the following critical points:
N Anand, General Secretary of TVK, highlighted that the state’s law and order situation must be improved to ensure the safety of women, particularly in light of the recent sexual harassment incident at Anna University.
A roadside biryani vendor was arrested for sexually assaulting a second-year engineering student of Anna University in Chennai, the Greater Chennai Police said on Wednesday, 25 December, two days after the alleged incident.
Investigators identified the man as Gnanasekaran, 36, of Kottur. They said he had confessed to the crime.
The woman was talking with a male friend behind a building on the college campus when the men allegedly threatened them, and attacked her friend. She was then sexually assaulted around 8 am on Monday, 23 December.
Authorities said that a “Joint Security Review” would be conducted by the Greater Chennai Police and the University Security Officers, and appropriate action will be taken to improve the security of the students.
N Anand also reiterated that those affected by Cyclone Fengal are still awaiting adequate support, which has yet to reach many of the victims.
Governor RN Ravi assured the delegation that their concerns would be duly considered.
In Chennai’s T. Nagar, 28 women representatives of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Women’s Wing South Chennai District Secretary Vanitha, gathered near the Jain Women’s College entrance on Methley Road. They aimed to distribute a letter written by TVK President Vijay on the party’s letterhead, addressing the safety of girl children.
The Mambalam police intervened, informing them that distributing pamphlets without prior permission was not allowed at the location. The TVK members then moved to the T. Nagar bus stand, where they continued to distribute the pamphlets to the public.
As a result, the police arrested 48 TVK members and temporarily detained them at the Krishnaswamy Marriage Hall on South Boag Road in T. Nagar.
Following this, South Chennai District Coordinator Appunu led 19 more TVK members in a protest near the T. Nagar bus stand, questioning the police action and raising slogans. They were also arrested and taken to the same marriage hall.
TVK State General Secretary Bussy Anand later arrived at the hall to meet the detained party members. After speaking to them, he too was arrested by the Mambalam police and detained in the same venue.
The incident has sparked protests among TVK supporters, who are raising slogans against the police action.
The Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) has reiterated its demand for the Tamil Nadu government to ensure safety for women across the state.
In the wake of the shocking incident of sexual assault on a student at Anna University, which has caused widespread outrage, TVK President Vijay addressed Tamil women in a heartfelt letter. In the letter, he assured, “I will stand firmly by your side as a brother and protector in all circumstances. Focus on your education without any worries.”
தமிழ்நாட்டில் அனைத்து இடங்களிலும் பெண்களுக்கான பாதுகாப்பை அரசு உறுதி செய்ய வேண்டும் என்று தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகம் தொடர்ந்து வலியுறுத்தி வருகிறது.
இந்நிலையில் சென்னை, அண்ணா பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் மாணவி ஒருவர் பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை செய்யப்பட்ட சம்பவம், தமிழக மக்களிடையே பெரும் கொந்தளிப்பை… pic.twitter.com/lAt8ovR4X3
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) December 30, 2024
TVK has strongly condemned the police action, stating, “Arresting our party members for attempting to distribute materials in a democratic manner is unacceptable. Is it democratic to detain those who peacefully exercise their right to free speech and expression?”
The party emphasised that such actions against democratic rights would not be tolerated by the people for long.
Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam members staged a protest in Coimbatore condemning the arrest of their General Secretary, Bussy Anand.
Over 50 TVK members gathered in front of the Coimbatore District Collector’s office and launched a sit-in protest. The police detained all protesters, creating a tense atmosphere near the collectorate.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Nitika Shivani)
