The reversal of the ‘Goondas Act’ against the farmers in Tamil Nadu by the DMK Government comes in the wake of widespread protests and mounting pressure from political and social circles. TN BJP President K Annamalai announced a mega protest in Thiruvannamalai, condemning the government’s action and demanding the withdrawal of the draconian Goondas Act. Families of the detained farmers had issued threats, asserting that the act must be revoked or an industrial project should be established “under our dead bodies.”
The farmers were detained by the Tiruvannamalai district collector on October 16 for peacefully protesting against the government’s decision to acquire their agricultural lands for an industrial project. The DMK government’s initial imposition of the Goondas Act on six out of seven farmers drew sharp criticism.
TN BJP President K Annamalai expressed condemnation, stating, “We condemn this cowardly act of the DMK Govt.” He assured full legal support for the families of the detainees and emphasized the need to protect protesting farmers from what he termed the “Fascist DMK Regime.”
The revocation of the Goondas Act reflects the power of collective public outcry and the resilience of those advocating for the rights of farmers. The incident underscores the delicate balance between government policies and public sentiment, with implications for the broader discourse on agricultural land acquisition and farmers’ rights in the region.
It is becoming increasingly evident from the family of the arrested farmers that the DMK govt has wilfully meted out this atrocity of imposing the Goondas act on the hard-working farmers of our State for protesting against the government’s decision to acquire their agricultural… pic.twitter.com/1QATJITDQp
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) November 17, 2023
In a distressing development, approximately 20 farmers, arrested on November 4 in connection with protests stemming from multiple FIRs filed in August, have raised serious allegations against the police. The arrests, linked to demonstrations against land acquisition for a project in Melma village, Cheyyar, have intensified after seven farmers were booked under the Goondas Act.
According to a circulating video on social media, a woman claiming to be associated with the protesting farmers stated, “The protest started on 2nd July in Cheyyar. On the 70th day, we went to give a petition to Cheyyar. The police arrested all the men on the way.” She continued, detailing subsequent incidents, including the removal of protest tents on the 125th day and the arrest of additional men at 2 AM. Allegedly, 22 men were arrested in total.
The woman in the video highlighted a disturbing turn of events, asserting that the police presented a form with unrelated charges such as illicit liquor, sand smuggling, rape, sexual harassment, and theft. She claimed that the form lacked information on the farmer protest, emphasizing that the police coerced her to sign as a witness under threats of sealing their shops and arresting them along with their children.
Expressing dismay, the farmers questioned the invocation of the Goondas Act, stating, “We are fighting for our property. If it was government property, they surely can take action. Why are they doing this when we are fighting to protect our own property?” The farmers called for the withdrawal of the Goondas Act, warning that if their demands were not met, they would contemplate drastic measures.
This troubling situation sheds light on the challenges faced by farmers protesting against land acquisition, with allegations of coercion, false charges, and the invocation of stringent laws adding to the complexity of the issue. The incident underscores the need for a comprehensive examination of the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the broader context of farmer protests in the region.
Tiruvannamalai collectorate Officials tricked a farmer's wife into signing a bail document, only to find out it was a notice under the Goondas Act for her husband. When she sought clarification, she faced verbal abuse and threats. 1/2 @CMOTamilnadu pic.twitter.com/d5HMSYWp0U
— Rajalakshmi sampath (@Rajalakshmi2398) November 17, 2023
In a development that continues to capture public attention, the bail plea hearing for farmers detained under the Goondas Act has been rescheduled to November 20, 2023. The legal proceedings surrounding their detention have drawn criticism from various quarters, with strong condemnation for invoking the draconian act normally reserved for hardcore criminals, murderers, and anti-social elements.
The decision to apply the Goondas Act to the protesting farmers has sparked outrage among those who champion democratic values. Critics argue that such measures are characteristic of fascist regimes, and the move, given the DMK’s purported commitment to farmers, has surprised many.
Netizens, a prominent voice in this discourse, has voiced concerns, emphasising that decisions like these are more expected in authoritarian setups rather than in democracies. The widespread condemnation suggests a growing sentiment against what is perceived as an extreme and unjust use of legal measures against those expressing dissent.
In response to the controversy, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced plans to organise a protest in Thiruvannamalai on October 18, condemning the DMK government’s actions and demanding the withdrawal of the Goondas Act imposed on the farmers. The protest signifies the political implications of the farmers’ detention, with opposition parties leveraging the situation to mobilise public sentiment against the ruling government.
As the legal proceedings unfold and public outcry intensifies, the rescheduled bail plea hearing on November 20 will be closely watched for its implications on the fate of the arrested farmers and the broader discourse on dissent and freedom of expression in the region.
பா.ஜ., நாளை கண்டனப்போராட்டம்
#BJP|#Annamalai|#Tiruvannamalaihttps://t.co/y4W3uzOWeZ pic.twitter.com/RBw0yQ8dUb
— Dinamalar (@dinamalarweb) November 17, 2023
In a press conference, Public Works Department, Highways, and Minor Ports Minister EV Velu said Arul was instigating the farmers in Tiruvannamalai district against the SIPCOT industrial project. He said “People from other districts are instigating the farmers here. Factories should be constructed for employment, and they cannot be built on the sea or sky”.
Annamalai took serious note of Minister Velu’s comments.
விவசாயிகள் மீது குண்டர் சட்டம் போடப்பட்டது நாளிதழில் பார்த்துத் தெரிந்துக் கொண்டதாகவும், தொழிற்சாலைகளை வானத்திலா கட்ட முடியும் என்று விவசாயிகளை கொச்சைப்படுத்தியும் பேசிய அமைச்சர் எ.வ. வேலு அவர்களுக்கு @BJP4TamilNadu சார்பாக கண்டனங்களை தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறோம். pic.twitter.com/MeA1JSc7qN
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) November 17, 2023
Minister Velu justified the expansion of SIPCOT in his district. He said, “Unlike in Ranipet and Ambur, we don’t have SIPCOT. Citizens and elected representatives have been demanding industrial growth in the district for many years now.”
Following backlash from the opposition parties in the state and activists, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin revoked the order by the Tiruvannamalai district collector to book six farmers under the Goondas Act for protesting against land acquisition.
