Chennai: In a disturbing incident that has raised significant concerns about safety on educational campuses, a 19-year-old second-year engineering student at Anna University was sexually assaulted on December 23. The incident occurred on the sprawling university campus located in the heart of the city near Raj Bhavan, highlighting the alarming lack of safety even in premier institutions.
According to the victim’s complaint filed on December 24, she was sitting with her male friend, a fourth-year student, in an open area of the campus when two assailants attacked them. The attackers reportedly thrashed her male companion and then dragged the woman into the bushes, where they sexually assaulted her. The woman, who resides in a hostel on the campus, revealed that she has been in a romantic relationship with her senior for two years. Investigators suspect that someone aware of their frequent secluded meetings may have orchestrated the attack.
The police are currently examining CCTV footage from the campus to determine if the assailants were students or outsiders who gained access to the premises. All angles are being investigated to ascertain the identity of the attackers.
This incident has sent shockwaves across the state, triggering public outrage and political criticism. Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai expressed strong condemnation, pointing to a broader failure of law and order in the state under the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. Taking to social media platform X, Annamalai stated, “It is absolutely shocking to hear the news of the sexual assault of a student at Anna University, the premier institute of TN, situated in the heart of Chennai, by two miscreants. Tamil Nadu, under the DMK government, has become a breeding ground for unlawful activities and a haven for criminals. Women don’t feel safe in the state anymore, as the police are kept busy by the ruling administration to silence the opposition.”
Annamalai demanded immediate action and accountability from the Chief Minister, emphasising the dire state of law and order in Tamil Nadu. His remarks were echoed by Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who termed the incident “shameful” and criticized Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for failing to ensure public safety.
It is absolutely shocking to hear the news of the Sexual Assault of a Student at Anna University, the premier Institute of TN, situated in the heart of Chennai, by 2 miscreants. @BJP4TamilNadu demands that the miscreants be immediately arrested.
Tamil Nadu, under the DMK…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 25, 2024
Pattern of Incidents Raises Alarm
This incident is not an isolated one but part of a worrying pattern of sexual assaults in Tamil Nadu, raising questions about the effectiveness of the state’s law enforcement and administrative machinery. Just days earlier, on December 22, an assistant jailor at Madurai Central Prison, Balaguruswamy, was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act after a video surfaced showing a girl and her relatives confronting and beating him in a public place. The assistant jailor was accused of sexually harassing the granddaughter of a former prisoner under the guise of offering financial and job assistance. Following the public confrontation, he was booked and suspended from his position.
On September, a 10-year-old girl was repeatedly raped by her neighbor over a week. The case caused public outrage and led to the Madras High Court ordering a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, citing loss of faith in the local police. Similarly, a college student with a congenital mental impairment was recently gang-raped by seven men, who lured her to lodges. While some suspects have been arrested, the incident has highlighted glaring gaps in the protection of vulnerable individuals.
Another case that sparked outrage involved a government doctor in Trichy, Samson, who reportedly sexually harassed students over several months under the pretext of conducting medical camps at his mother’s government-aided primary school. In yet another shocking incident, students at Kingsley Gardens Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Bargur faced sexual harassment, underscoring the pervasive nature of such crimes.
Political and Public Reactions
The latest incident at Anna University has intensified criticism of the DMK government. Opposition leaders and activists have accused the administration of prioritizing political agendas over public safety. BJP Tamil Nadu’s official handle posted, “The horrific incident at Anna University exposes the complete breakdown of law and order under the DMK government. Tamil Nadu has turned into a haven for criminals, where women no longer feel safe.”
Political leaders and activists are demanding immediate arrests and stringent action against the perpetrators, as well as comprehensive measures to enhance campus safety. Many have highlighted that the state’s law enforcement appears to be reactive rather than preventive, with delayed responses in several high-profile cases.
Safety Concerns in Educational Institutions
The incident at Anna University has reignited debates about safety measures in educational institutions. Despite being located in a high-security zone near Raj Bhavan, the university campus—which spans a large area—has been found wanting in terms of surveillance and security protocols. Students and parents have expressed concerns about the ease with which outsiders can access such campuses and the lack of adequate lighting and patrolling in secluded areas.
In response to these incidents, experts and activists have called for:
- Enhanced security measures, including CCTV coverage, regular patrolling, and restricted access to campus premises.
- Awareness campaigns and sensitization programs to educate students and staff about safety and reporting mechanisms.
- Robust grievance redressal systems to ensure swift action in cases of harassment or assault.
- Accountability and transparency from law enforcement agencies and educational institutions in handling such cases.
Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami called the incident “shameful”. He also slammed chief minister MK Stalin saying the latter wasn’t able to ensure law and order in Tamil Nadu.
Tiri Hankarapadian in X said “The horrific incident at Anna University exposes the complete breakdown of law and order under the DMK government. Tamil Nadu has turned into a haven for criminals, where women no longer feel safe. The police are misused to target opposition voices while justice for victims takes a backseat. This is a direct result of the incompetence and negligence of the DMK regime. @BJP4TamilNadu demands immediate arrest of the culprits and a clear statement from the Chief Minister. How many more lives will suffer before DMK takes responsibility❓. #JusticeForTheStudent #DMKFailsTN”**
The horrific incident at Anna University exposes the complete breakdown of law and order under the DMK government. Tamil Nadu has turned into a haven for criminals, where women no longer feel safe. The police are misused to target opposition voices while justice…
— ᴛɪʀɪꜱʜᴀɴᴋᴀʀᴀᴘᴀɴᴅɪᴀɴ Moᴅɪꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ (@MODIFORCE_TIRI) December 25, 2024
Only on December 22, an assistant jailor at the Madurai Central prison Balaguruswamy was arrested under POCSO for sexually harassing a former prisoner’s granddaughter after a video went viral. In that the girl found beating him along with their relatives in a public place. It is alleged that the Assistant Jailor frequently visit the tea stall run by a former prisoner and ate there. He became friendly with their family including his daughter and grand-daughter. When he invited her to discuss about a job and financial help to a secluded place, she informed her parents. On 21st when they confronted him the place on a busy road in Madurai where he had asked the girl to come. The relatives scolded her for sexually harassing her minor. The woman grabbed and beat him up along with few others.
Following filing of a complaint, the Assistant jailor was booked under POCSO and has been suspended. In the recent past, there have been numerous incidents of sexual assaults on girls and women. In September, 10 years old girl repeated raped for a week by her neighbour and the case. The HC ordered the probe by CBI saying lost faith in local police. Recently, a congenital mental impairment college student was raped by a gang of seven by taking her into lodges. Police arrested some of the culprits. In Trichy, a government doctor Samson in the name of conducting medical camps at his mother’s government aided primary school, sexually harassed the students for several months. In Kingsley Gardens Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Bargur. The list is exhaustive. TN is yet to wake up from the ground reality to react like RG Kar incident?
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