Opposition Slams Vijay Govt Over Crimes Against Women in Tamil Nadu

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu on Friday criticised Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over a series of crimes against women, accusing his government of failing to ensure public safety and demanding stringent action against those responsible.

The criticism follows several incidents reported across the state, including the killing of a woman during an armed midnight intrusion in Tuticorin district and the alleged sexual harassment of a college student near Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district by a functionary of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, accused the government of prioritising publicity over public safety. In a post on X, he questioned when the chief minister would take effective measures to curb crimes against women.

Referring to the Tuticorin incident near Sathankulam, Udhayanidhi said an armed gang entered a house while the family was asleep. Mary Regila was killed, while her husband and son sustained serious injuries and were hospitalised. The gang allegedly abducted her two daughters, who were rescued by police a few hours later.

He also cited alleged offences involving minor girls in Tirunelveli and Velankanni, and the alleged harassment of a college student by a TVK district functionary in Kanyakumari. He demanded prompt, fair and thorough legal action.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also condemned the alleged harassment incident and called for action without political interference. According to reports, Christopher, a TVK district functionary, allegedly targeted the student while she was waiting for a bus, under the pretext of offering assistance.

Palaniswami questioned the effectiveness of the Singappen Special Task Force, launched in June to protect women, asking whether it had gone into “hibernation mode”. He also alleged that cases involving ruling party functionaries raised concerns about women's safety.

Urging women and girls to remain vigilant, he advised them to contact police if strangers approached them under the pretext of offering help and suggested carrying self-defence equipment. The state government’s response to the Opposition’s allegations was not immediately available.