- Vijay criticised the DMK government for arresting sanitation workers at midnight during protests
- Sanitation workers had been protesting for 13 days outside Greater Chennai Corporation headquarters
- Police detained nearly 900 protesters following a Madras High Court order for their removal
Tamil superstar Vijay has ripped into the DMK government, accusing the MK Stalin administration of arresting sanitation workers at midnight when they were protesting peacefully for their rights.
"Condemnation to the fascist DMK government for arresting sanitation workers, who have been peacefully fighting for their rights, in an inhumane and anarchic manner in the dead of night," said Vijay, who heads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party.
Nearly 900 agitators were detained early this morning outside Ripon Building, headquarters of Greater Chennai Corporation, following a Madras High Court order to clear the protest site.
Vijay alleged that some women workers fainted during the police action, while some sustained injuries while being dragged away.
"Witnessing this midnight arrest operation, it is evident that violence has been unleashed on women to an extent that no one with a conscience can bear," he said, calling for immediate medical assistance and treatment for the injured.
He also alleged that they have been detained at various locations and are unable to contact their families.
"To detain them in a way that prevents even communication with their families-are sanitation workers anti-national elements? Does the ruling government have even a shred of conscience? Looking at this cruel action, it becomes crystal clear that what is happening in Tamil Nadu is not democracy but tyranny," said the actor.
Calling for immediate release of the workers, he also demanded to know why the DMK government has not fulfilled promises made to them before the election.
The sanitation workers had been protesting for the last 13 days outside Ripon Building. Stating that protesting on public footpaths is not permissible, a bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan yesterday directed the state administration to clear the protest site.
The judgment said the police must act with restraint and allow the protesters to continue their agitation at designated venues after due permission.
The protesting sanitation workers opposed the civic body's plan to outsource conservancy operations in Zones V and VI, while also demanding permanent jobs, salary security, and the withdrawal of the privatisation move.
But the government and the civic body defended the outsourcing plan, saying it would improve operational efficiency, ensure better waste management, and address manpower shortages - a model they claim has worked in other zones.
However, worker representatives insist that privatisation would undermine job security and benefits and vowed to continue their agitation.
Left parties have also criticised the court order, particularly when the court is yet to dispose their pleas on the jobs issue.
