Anna University Rape Case: BJP’s women wing protests against DMK, Khushbu among cadre detained

The Madurai Police arrested BJP functionary Khushbu Sundar and other members as they were attempting to take out a ‘justice rally’ from Madurai to Chennai.

Madurai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) women’s wing held a protest against the Chief Minister MK Stalin-led DMK government in Madurai over the Anna University sexual assault case. Leader Khushbu Sundar and other members were detained by the police at Simakkal for attempting to hold a justice rally from Madurai to Chennai.

“The DMK is frightened by this gathering. Everyone is protesting within the framework of the law, demanding justice for the woman who was sexually assaulted at Anna University. The DMK criticised us, claiming our protests are for publicity. However, we do not need publicity. The BJP is already performing exceptionally well across India. In these four years, the DMK has achieved nothing. Many atrocities against women occur, why is Chief Minister Stalin remaining silent?” Khushboo Sundar said.

BJP president K Annamalai announced on Monday that the BJP would hold a massive rally from Madurai to Chennai, demanding justice for the victim.

The police had denied permission for any public rally.

On Friday, more than 500 women from the saffron party gathered outside the Chellathamman temple, voicing their protests against the DMK government. They accused the state authorities of failing to protect the female students at AU and pointed fingers at a DMK official for being involved in the matter.

Khushbu, addressed the gathering, stating that the saffron party always speaks and stands for the truth, and that’s why cops are stopping them for the rally. She further questioned why police were trying to protect the accused.

“Why did the DMK deny us permission (for the rally) at the last minute, even though we had applied properly? Chief Minister MK Stalin does not dare to protect the girls, who are studying in AU,” she said.

The party officials arrested found themselves detained in a private wedding venue, oddly located beside a goat shed housing about 200 sheep. Frustrated by the poor restroom conditions and the overpowering smell from the animals, they staged a protest demanding to be moved elsewhere. Unfortunately, their attempts to change the location didn’t lead to any success.

Following the detention, BJP members staged a demonstration on the Palani-Dindigul National Highway, leading to their arrest.

BJP Tamil Nadu unit president Annamalai strongly condemned the detention of the BJP’s women cadre members. He took to X and wrote, “The true face of the DMK government, which is acting in an anti-democratic manner to protect DMK’s sex offenders, is being exposed to the public.”