Watch | TN BJP chief Annamalai whips himself in protest against DMK over Anna University student’s sexual assault

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai whipped himself eight times at his house in Coimbatore on Friday in protest against the ruling DMK over the alleged sexual assault of a student at Anna University in Chennai.

Earlier on Thursday he announced that he would observe a 48-day fast, whip himself six times every day and remain barefoot until the DMK was removed from power.

On Friday morning Annamalai came out of his house wearing a green ‘dhoti’ and whipped himself eight times in a video released by PTI. He did it in front of his security men and party workers. When tried to whip himself 9^th time, one of his supporters came out and tried to stop him.

VIDEO | BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai (@annamalai_k) whips himself outside his residence in Coimbatore to condemn the police, and the state government for their ‘apathy’ in handling the case of sexual assault of a student of Anna University.#TamilNaduNews

(Full video… pic.twitter.com/v3G3DD3nn9

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 27, 2024

Earlier, speaking at a press conference, he removed his shoe and said, “From tomorrow onwards, until the DMK is removed from power, I will not wear any footwear. From tomorrow, K. Annamalai will protest against the government’s handling of the Anna University student’s sexual harassment case.”

“Tomorrow, I will hold a protest in front of my house, where I will whip myself six times. Starting tomorrow, I will fast for 48 days and appeal to the six-armed Murugan. Tomorrow, a protest will be held in front of the house of every BJP member. From tomorrow, until the DMK is removed from power, I will not wear sandals. There must be an end to this,” said Annamalai.

He also blasted the police for disclosing the survivor’s name, phone number and other personal information. “How did the FIR enter the public domain? You have revealed the identity of the survivor by leaking the FIR. The FIR also shows the survivor in a poor light. Where did the Nirbhaya fund go? Why was there no CCTV camera on Anna University campus?” he said.

On Monday night, a second-year student was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man on the university campus. One person has been arrested in connection with the unfortunate incident.

On Thursday, the Tamil Nadu Police apprehended BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan and several party workers during protests organised by the BJP and AIADMK against the alleged sexual assault.

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Soundararajan accused the DMK-led state government of trying to silence dissent, saying, “This is atrocious. They want to crush our voice.” She also added that the police detained her and many other party workers during the protest.

Meanwhile, actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party chief Vijay urged the state government to take swift legal action against the perpetrator.

“Although the police have informed that the individual who committed the assault has been arrested, I urge the Tamil Nadu government to ensure swift legal action and appropriate punishment. If anyone else is involved in this heinous crime, they should also be held accountable promptly,” he wrote on X.

Earlier, Annamalai criticised the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led government, alleging an increase in crimes against women, ANI reported. He told reporters that two unidentified persons entered the campus and assaulted the student.