DMK govt. has created environment enabling girls to lodge complaints against sexual crimes: Law Minister

Tami Nadu Law Minister S. Regupathy on Thursday said the DMK government had created an environment wherein girls studying in schools and colleges could come forward to lodge complaints related to sexual crimes without fear.

Tami Nadu Law Minister S. Regupathy on Thursday (February 20, 2025) said the DMK government had created an environment wherein girls studying in schools and colleges could come forward to lodge complaints related to sexual crimes without fear.

The students feel emboldened to lodge complaints and are confident that the DMK government and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will stand with them, Mr. Regupathy said. He was responding to a query over a comment made by BJP State president K. Annamalai that there was no safety for students in Tamil Nadu. 

Speaking to mediapersons in Pudukottai, the Minister claimed that girls were feeling secure now, and previously, they were worried about whom to approach with such complains, fearing action from teachers.

The DMK government has removed that sense of fear among school and college girls, Mr. Regupathy said, adding that neither Mr. Annamalai nor AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami could stomach this. The DMK government has introduced bills to enhance punishment for sexual crimes against women and children, he added. 

Responding to another query, Mr. Regupathy charged that the BJP government at the Centre was indirectly imposing Hindi on Tamil Nadu. “Why can’t Tamil Nadu develop by following a two-language formula,” he asked. To another question, the Minister accused Mr. Palaniswami of maintaining “discreet ties” with the BJP and said the latter had not openly criticised the BJP in public forums.