A disturbing sexual assault case involving a second-year engineering student at Chennai’s Anna University has sparked widespread protests and political controversy. The 19-year-old student was sexually assaulted by two men inside the university campus on Wednesday morning, leading to strong reactions from various political parties and student groups.
The Incident
The incident occurred during the early hours of Wednesday when the woman was sitting with her male friend in an open area on the Anna University campus. The duo of perpetrators attacked the male friend before dragging the female student into a secluded area, where they sexually assaulted her. The Tamil Nadu Police arrested one of the accused on campus, while investigations continue regarding the second individual involved in the attack. This shocking incident has raised serious concerns about student safety at the prestigious institution.
BJP’s Allegations
BJP state president K. Annamalai has strongly criticized the DMK over the case, alleging that the accused has ties to the party. He shared a photo on social media showing the alleged perpetrator with Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and other DMK leaders, suggesting a political connection. Annamalai accused the DMK of protecting criminals and claimed the accused had a history of offenses that were overlooked due to political pressure.
Annamalai further questioned Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s role in ensuring justice, stating that Tamil Nadu residents should no longer tolerate the alleged protection of criminals by the ruling party. He accused the DMK of suppressing investigations and making the state unsafe for women.
It has come to light that the accused in the Sexual Assault of a student at Anna University is a repeat offender and a DMK functionary.
A clear pattern emerges from the number of such cases in the past:
1. A criminal becomes close to the local DMK functionaries and becomes a… pic.twitter.com/PcGbFqILwk
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 25, 2024
Protests and Political Backlash
The assault sparked protests across the campus, organized by student groups such as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA). The protesters demanded swift justice for the survivor and stronger measures to ensure student safety on campus.
In the wake of the protests, several BJP and AIADMK leaders, including former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, were detained by the police. Tamilisai criticized the police for attempting to stifle the protester’s voices.
FIR Leak Controversy
Annamalai also accused police officials of leaking the First Information Report (FIR), which contained personal details of the victim, because the accused had links to the DMK. He condemned the violation of the survivor’s privacy and held Chief Minister Stalin responsible for the breach.
DMK’s Response
The DMK rejected all allegations, with party spokesperson A. Saravanan stating that being photographed with a party leader did not mean the DMK was responsible for the accused’s actions. He assured the public that the accused would face justice and emphasized that the Tamil Nadu police would handle the investigation appropriately.
Saravanan also dismissed the BJP’s claims, saying those unable to challenge the DMK politically were resorting to spreading false narratives about the state’s law and order.
The sexual assault on the Anna University campus has not only shocked the community but also ignited political tensions between the BJP and DMK. As protests continue and the investigation unfolds, all eyes are on ensuring justice for the victim and addressing the broader issue of safety for students, particularly women, on university campuses.