Actor-politician Vijay has condemned the sexual assault of a second-year engineering student at Chennai’s Anna University, calling on the Tamil Nadu government to take “immediate legal action” against the perpetrator.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party chief described the incident as “deeply shocking and painful” on Wednesday.
Two men inside the campus allegedly attacked the survivor and her male friend in the wee hours of Wednesday. The woman was reportedly sitting on the campus along with her friend in an open area when the attackers attacked and thrashed the male friend. Following this, they dragged the survivor into the bushes and sexually assaulted her.
In a post on X, Vijay stated that while the police had informed him of an arrest in the case, he urged the MK Stalin-led government to “take swift legal action against the accused and ensure appropriate punishment.”
Notably, the 37-year-old accused operated a biryani stall near the campus.
“Furthermore, if anyone else was involved in this heinous crime, appropriate action should also be taken against them promptly,” he added.
The actor also emphasized the importance of installing CCTV cameras, smart poles, emergency buttons, and telephones to enhance women’s safety across the city. He suggested that the Nirbhaya fund, which is allocated annually, could be utilized for this purpose.
“…Ensure women’s safety in all city buses, provide women’s toilet facilities in public places, provide emergency telephones and mobile apps for women’s safety, and ensure the safety of women in all places including educational institutions, private institutions, and public places,” his X post in Tamil read.
Additionally, Vijay stated that simply installing these facilities would not be sufficient. He emphasized the need for continuous monitoring to ensure they are functioning properly.
“In doing these, appropriate safety precautions should be taken without any compromise. It is also necessary to create adequate legal assistance and psychological awareness so that women can defend themselves with mental strength in any situation,” he said.
Vijay also urged the government to raise awareness among women during their education to ensure their safety.
The sexual assault of the 19-year-old student has ignited widespread outrage and a political controversy in Tamil Nadu.
Students were seen protesting both inside and around the university, raising concerns about the safety of students.
Political leaders also criticized the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led government over the alleged “rise” in crimes against women, a claim that the ruling party has rejected.
State BJP chief K. Annamalai also expressed shock over the incident, alleging that the accused is “a repeat offender and a DMK functionary.”
Annamalai criticized the state government and questioned whether Chief Minister MK Stalin would “ever take any responsibility” for the incident.
Amid the growing outrage, “Shame On You Stalin” hashtag was also seen to be increasingly used on social media platforms, especially on X, formerly Twitter.
