Is Women’s Safety Completely Undermined Under Stalin’s Government?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Incident raises serious concerns about women's safety.
- Palaniswami's critique highlights failures in law enforcement.
- Public outrage calls for immediate justice.
- Importance of government accountability emphasized.
- Police are actively pursuing the suspects.
Chennai, Nov 3 (NationPress) AIADMK General Secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami launched a vigorous critique against the DMK government following the horrific gang-rape of a college student near the Coimbatore airport, describing it as a “complete failure of women’s safety” under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s rule.
The shocking event transpired late on November 2, when three men allegedly kidnapped a college student who was conversing with a male companion close to the Coimbatore International Airport.
As per police accounts, the gang assaulted the male friend, abducted the female student, and sexually assaulted her before leaving her behind a private college.
The victim was rescued by the police in the early hours of November 3 and subsequently admitted to a private hospital for medical care. This case has ignited widespread outrage throughout Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties calling for immediate justice and raising concerns about the worsening law-and-order situation in the state.
Palaniswami expressed in a strongly worded statement that this incident had significantly shaken public trust in the state's policing system. “This appalling crime poses a critical question -- does Tamil Nadu still have a functioning police force under the DMK government?” he questioned.
Blaming the ruling party for severe negligence, Palaniswami remarked, “Women’s safety has been utterly compromised under the Stalin model of governance. During the AIADMK administration, Tamil Nadu was recognized as one of the safest states in India for women. Under my leadership, Chennai ranked first among major cities, and Coimbatore led among urban areas for women’s safety.”
Recalling his previous initiative to distribute pepper sprays, flashlights, and other safety kits to women at AIADMK headquarters, he noted it was intended to empower women at a time when “they could not rely on the DMK government for protection.”
Palaniswami urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to ensure the swift apprehension of all three suspects and guarantee that they face the most severe penalties under the law.
“It is the Chief Minister’s duty, who oversees the police department, to deliver justice and restore trust in women’s safety,” he stated.
The Peelamedu police have formed specialized teams and are conducting an extensive manhunt for the offenders.