Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Monday said the law would take its course if women were insulted amid a massive political row over Leader of Opposition. “Freedom of speech – how it is being used, we should retrospect. At the same time, speaking of our people or women in a demeaning way, let’s not have that,” Vijay said in the Assembly, without naming Stalin Jr.
Vijay’s remarks came weeks after Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested and later released on station bail in connection with a case over the ‘double-meaning’ remarks that were widely interpreted as an allusion to Trisha, who is Vijay’s close friend. The controversy erupted during an August 3 Cauvery protest in Thanjavur when supporters chanted Trisha’s name while Udhayanidhi Stalin was speaking. He paused, smirked and made a remark that critics interpreted as a vulgar reference to Trisha.
Police arrested Udhayanidhi Stalin at his Chennai residence on August 4 and took him to Thanjavur for questioning. He was later released on station bail on the same day. Stalin Jr accused the Vijay government of political vendetta and said he had no intention of insulting women. “I’m not responsible if I’m talking with political motive. We have seen how many insults (former CM J) Jayalalithaa has faced in this Assembly. I repeat again, politically make any comments and that is freedom of speech. People are watching this,” he said.
“Only if law and order is maintained well does development begin. Hence, the police force is not only for arresting culprits but also the foundation for the state’s development,” he said. “Police is a friend for those who follow the law and an enemy for those who don’t,” Vijay added. He said political leaders and officials should not interfere in police matters. “I have emphasised that whether it be a CM, minister or official, can’t intervene in police matters,” he said.
“One crime can’t determine deterioration of law and order. Hence, all the crimes didn’t happen in the past 100 days,” he said, adding that several factors, including people losing fear of the law, could contribute to crime. Vijay said crimes against women and children were a major concern for his government and that the police had been instructed to act immediately. “This government not just wants to take action against such crimes but also to stop them from happening,” he said.
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