EPS Calls for Urgent Action Against Men Who Harassed Women at Midnight

Chennai, Jan 29 (NationPress) AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) on Wednesday condemned the Stalin government following an incident where a group of men in a car, displaying the ruling party's flag, allegedly pursued and halted another vehicle containing women along the East Coast Road (ECR).

The former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, EPS, has called for the government to take urgent measures to apprehend those responsible for the incident and to ensure that legal actions proceed without any political bias.

In a social media update, Palaniswami asserted that the individuals involved in the chasing were “connected” to the DMK, as their vehicle bore its flag.

He also expressed alarm over the sluggish response from law enforcement, questioning, “Does the DMK flag grant permission to commit offenses against women?”

EPS further criticized the Tamil Nadu Police for allegedly questioning the women about their presence outside at night when they sought to report the incident.

“Is there no liberty for women to venture out of their homes at night under Stalin’s government?” he queried.

He highlighted that Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had previously reacted negatively to inquiries regarding the “Who is that Sir?” controversy in the Anna University sexual assault case.

In a jab at CM Stalin, EPS questioned, “What will he say about these 'Sirs'?”

Video evidence of the incident, which has circulated widely on social media, depicts the alarming chase. The women managed to arrive home safely, yet the group of men in an SUV trailed them until they reached their residence. The suspects fled in their vehicle when the women’s relatives and neighbors gathered in response to the commotion.

The unsettling footage raises serious issues regarding public safety, especially for women.

The video shows a car with the DMK flag pursuing a smaller vehicle before blocking it on the road.

One of the men is seen exiting the car and rushing toward the women’s vehicle. The frightened women can be heard urging each other to lock the doors and refrain from exiting. They also desperately tried to reach out to their relatives for assistance.

Traffic on the ECR was disrupted as the men’s car obstructed the road, hindering other vehicles. In another clip, the women are shown reversing their car in an effort to escape.

This video has sparked widespread indignation and calls for immediate action against the culprits.

The incident has escalated political tensions in Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties accusing the ruling party of neglecting women’s safety.