‘DMK supporter, non-member’: CM Stalin at Anna University accused of sexual assault

Last update:January 8, 2025, 1:30 pm EST

A biryani seller has been arrested in connection with a sexual assault case. CM MK Stalin told the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the accused was a “DMK supporter and not a member”.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (PTI Photo)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin admitted in the State Assembly on Wednesday that the accused in the Anna University sexual assault case was a “DMK supporter”, but clarified that he was not a member of the party.

The Prime Minister said that the government acted with an “iron fist” in cases of crimes against women and in this case too, accused Gananesekaran was arrested soon after the incident was reported.

Admission of Stalin to the Assembly

“Accused Gananesekaran is not a DMK member but only a DMK sympathizer or supporter,” Stalin said while addressing the Assembly.

On December 23 last year, a 19-year-old engineering student suffered sexual violence on the Anna University campus. The accused was a biryani seller and was arrested soon after. The incident sparked huge outrage among the opposition during the ongoing Assembly session.

Stalin sharply attacks the opposition

The Prime Minister sharply criticized the opposition for “cheap activity” and alleged attempts to show that women in the country are not safe, and stated that such tactics would not find supporters in the country.

“The opposition is asking who is this, sir? If you really have evidence, hand it over to the SIT investigating the case. Don’t engage in cheap pursuits for short-term political gain. This government has an iron fist when it comes to crimes against women. With this one incident, many people are trying to show that women are not safe. It definitely won’t work among the people,” Stalin said.

Stalin said that his government intended to stand by the victim and provide him with justice. He also said that if the accused had not been arrested after committing the crime or had been rescued, then the government could have been blamed.

“Even after the accused are arrested within a short period of time and evidence is collected, blaming the government only brings political benefits,” he said.