‘Fascist DMK’: Vijay throws his weight behind protesting sanitation workers

Chennai: Actor Vijay called the ruling DMK fascist accusing the Stalin administration of arresting the protesting sanitation workers at midnight.

Viyay, who heads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, came down on the government claiming that some women workers fainted during the police action.

It is reported that around 900 agitators were detained early this morning outside the headquarters of Greater Chennai Corporation, after Madras High Court’s order to clear protest site according to NDTV.

The workers were reportedly 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," Vijay reportedly said.

Vijay alleged that some workers sustained injuries as they were dragged away.

Urging the authorities to provide treatment to the injured, the actor stated that ‘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.’

Further calling out the police action, he alleged that workers were detained at various locations, hence they were unable to contact their families, and asked ‘Does the ruling government have even a shred of conscience?’

Tamil Nadu according to him is not a democracy but tyranny and he urged the government to immediately release the workers.

The sanitation workers had been protesting over the last 13 days; alongside opposing the Civic body’s move to conservancy operations in Zones V and VI, they demanded permanent jobs, salary security, according to the report.

A bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan on Wednesday directed the government to clear the protest site, stating that protesting on public footpaths is not permissible.