In yet another brazen act of suppressing dissent and stifling opposition, the Tamil Nadu police arrested Kaliyuga Kannan, a resident of Gorimedu, Salem, who runs a tutorial college and a NEET coaching centre on March 14. He had posted about Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s statement encouraging students to learn multiple languages to enhance their skills
மும்மொழி கொள்கைக்கு ஆதரவாக சமூக ஊடகத்தில் பேசிய ஆசிரியர் ஸ்டாலின் ஏவல்துறையால் கைது.!!
செந்தில் பாலாஜி தம்பிய பிடிக்க துப்பில்ல, திருப்பூரில் விவசாயக் குடும்பத்தை கொலை செய்தவனை பிடிக்க வக்கில்ல….ஆனா வேலை செய்றோம் என சீன் போட கிடைச்சது ஒரு ஆசிரியர் தான்🤦 @mkstalin pic.twitter.com/8DkoXGkZGE
— Sanghi Prince 🚩 (@SanghiPrince) March 14, 2025
Kaliyuga Kannan supported the central government’s trilingual policy while criticising the Tamil Nadu government’s contradictory stance on the issue. The DMK government’s cybercrime police registered a case against him under five different sections, including charges of disturbing public peace and defamation. He was subsequently presented in court and remanded to Salem Central Jail after monitoring his social media post.
Kaliyuga Kannan’s sudden arrest, particularly during the ongoing public examinations, has left his students shocked and concerned. This was not a crime that warranted immediate arrest, and he is neither a history-sheeter nor a hardcore terrorist to justify such urgency. The police could have waited until the examinations were over if they believed they had a strong case. Despite receiving multiple reprimands in various cases, the Tamil Nadu police still need to be educated on the principles of freedom of expression and legal due process.
Speaking to the media, Kaliyuga Kannan’s daughter condemned the police action, expressing her distress: “My father had posted on Twitter in support of the three-language policy. For that, the cybercrime police arrested him around 2 PM. Even though we assured them of our full cooperation, they treated him harshly. We demand justice for this! How can someone be arrested over a simple comment? We are two daughters still studying. With the 12th exams approaching, do they realise how many students rely on my father?”
As the police arrested a tutorial college teacher and dragged him like a hardcore criminal before producing him in court, a netizen slammed the DMK government, calling it out for its hypocrisy:
“This is how DMK behaves… A tutorial college professor speaks in favour of NEP, and he is arrested… And DMK has the nerve to call BJP fascist! They are doing all this because their years of playing politics over language are falling apart.”
This is how DMK behaves.. a tutorial college professor speaks in favor of NEP and he is arrested.. and DMK has the nerve to call BJP fascist.. they are doing all this as their many years of doing politics over language is falling apart.. @BJP4TamilNadu should provide all legal… https://t.co/lwEoYlXaCp
— NR (@NR_Sanghi) March 14, 2025
In another incident, Geetha Rubini, a law college student, was attacked and threatened with dire consequences for informing the police about drug peddlers and people consuming alcohol opposite her house. It is alleged that the police passed on her name and address to those against whom she had complained.
It is well known that in Tamil Nadu, criminals— particularly those involved in drug trafficking and smuggling— work hand in glove with the police. The Madras High Court had earlier directed the authorities to compile a list of officers who assist these elements. A gang barged into Geetha Rubini’s house and brutally attacked her, yet the police have not filed an FIR against the attackers
திமுக அப்பா மாடல் மகளிர் தினம்.
பள்ளி வளாகத்தில் மது அருந்தி, கஞ்சா புகைப்பதாக புகாரா அளித்த சட்ட கல்லூரி மாணவி வீடு தேடி சென்று தாக்குதல். #அப்பா_பரிதாபங்கள் pic.twitter.com/V1bzoR5eVy
— Kovai Sathyan (@KovaiSathyan) March 8, 2025
Fearing for her life, she has sought police protection. Interestingly, neither the media nor politicians have come to her support. This is the reality of women’s security under the DMK regime. Stalin, who claimed that students call him Appa (father), has been silent about his ‘daughter’ being attacked under his rule. Tamil Nadu has become unsafe for women and children, with sexual predators and criminals running amok. Now, citizens cannot even complain about or resist drug smuggling and consumption in schools or public places that disturb law and order.
In contrast, when Ananda Vikatan published a cartoon depicting PM Modi shackled in chains on his hands and legs while seated next to US President Donald Trump, the site was blocked following complaints from BJP leader Annamalai. However, CM M. K. Stalin immediately defended Vikatan and press freedom.
Like the saying “the pot calling the kettle black,” CM Stalin tweeted in Tamil: “Blocking media outlets for their opinions is not good for democracy. This is an example of the fascist nature of the BJP.” He appears oblivious to the fact that his own police force has been systematically arresting BJP leaders and social media activists for criticising him, his son, his family, and his government, as well as leaders of DMK allies and minority groups.
Meanwhile, complaints from the BJP and others regarding hate speech and threats from DMK leaders, their allies, and members of certain communities are conveniently ignored, allowed to fade without proper investigation. Critics argue that the police have become highly biased, focusing primarily on midnight arrests and cross-state operations targeting opponents and critics.
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