AIADMK cadre, mostly women workers, led by former Minister for Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare S. Valarmathi, staged a demonstration at the old bus terminus in Arakkonam town near Ranipet on Wednesday, against the DMK government over the sexual harassment case involving a local DMK functionary.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Members of the AIADMK, mostly women, led by former Minister for Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare S. Valarmathi, who is also the secretary of the women’s wing of the party, staged a demonstration at the old bus terminus in Arakkonam town near Ranipet on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) against the DMK government over a sexual harassment case involving a DMK youth wing office-bearer, who has now been removed from his post.
Along with the sitting Arakkonam MLA S. Ravi and other functionaries, the party workers raised slogans against the DMK government, alleging there was no safety for women and children in the State. The protesters also highlighted the menace of illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu.
“The AIADMK has condemned the delayed action taken by the police over the issue. Why has the DMK not removed suspect R. Deivaseyal from the primary membership of the party? Instead, the DMK has only relieved him of the party post,” Ms. Valarmathi said.
The former Minister claimed that the police had denied permission for the protest at the last moment due to pressure from higher-ups. “The DMK government is trying to stifle the freedom of speech of the Opposition parties, who highlight the current regime’s failures. We will continue to fight the injustice meted out to affected persons in the State,” she said.
The protest comes on the heels of AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday criticising the DMK government for “failing” to take action against the suspect Deivaseyal, who has been accused of sexually exploiting and harassing a college student. Mr. Palaniswami had said the party would hold a demonstration in Arakkonam over the issue.
Published – May 21, 2025 04:01 pm IST
