ABVP Condemns Sexual Assault at Anna University and Suppression of Democratic Protests by DMK Government

ABVP Condemns Sexual Assault at Anna University and Suppression of Democratic Protests by DMK Government

ABVP Protests for Justice Silenced: State Secretary Yuvraj D and other activists arrested  for demanding justice against sexual assault

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) strongly condemns the horrific sexual assault of a 19-year-old second-year engineering student inside Anna University on December 23, 2024, and the subsequent mishandling of the case by the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government.

On the night of the incident, the accused, D. Gnanasekaran, a biryani hawker, trespassed into the university premises, assaulted the victim's male friend, and sexually assaulted the victim after threatening her with blackmail. The accused even used her identification card to demand further exploitation. Despite the victim's courage in filing a formal complaint under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, the Tamil Nadu Police delayed the arrest of the accused by 12 hours. During this time, sensitive details, including the victim's FIR, were leaked to DMK-affiliated media outlets, worsening her trauma.

Public outrage has intensified after it was revealed that the accused is affiliated with the DMK, having participated in party activities and appearing in photographs with Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. As a syndicate member of Anna University, Stalin is directly implicated in the lapses that allowed such a crime to occur on campus.

In response, ABVP has been protesting across Tamil Nadu, demanding accountability for the security failure at Anna University and justice for the victim. However, the Tamil Nadu government has resorted to suppressing dissent. On December 27, 2024, at 4 AM, ABVP North Tamil Nadu State Secretary Shri Yuvraj D and two other activists were arrested from ABVP's Tamil Nadu State office in Purasaiwakkam.

ABVP demands immediate and strict action against the accused, D. Gnanasekaran, with a fast-tracked trial to ensure justice for the victim. Also, calls for accountability for the security lapses at Anna University and urges the implementation of measures to enhance campus safety. ABVP emphasizes the need to protect the victim’s privacy to prevent further leaks of sensitive information and insists on holding the police officials accountable for the delay in arresting the accused. Additionally, ABVP demands the immediate release of Shri Yuvraj D and other activists who were arrested for exercising their democratic right to protest.

ABVP’s National General secretary Dr. Virendra Singh Solanki stated, “ABVP condemns this undemocratic action, emphasizing the DMK government’s failure to ensure campus safety and uphold democratic rights, demanding immediate and strict action against the accused, Gnanasekaran, with a fast-tracked trial to deliver justice to the victim. Also, to maintain the victim’s privacy to prevent further leaks and to hold police officials accountable for the delay in arresting the accused. ABVP will continue its fight for justice for the victim and for the safety of students on campuses across Tamil Nadu. The DMK government must realize that suppressing dissent cannot hide its failure to protect students' dignity and safety.”