DMK women cadre protest across Tamil Nadu over price rise, law and order

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DMK Women’s Wing cadre stage a protest near the Chennai District Collectorate on Saturday. The protest was led by DMK MP Kanimozhi | Photo Credit: V. Umesh Kumar

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Women’s Wing on Saturday (October 31, 2026) staged protests at district headquarters across Tamil Nadu, accusing the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of failing to maintain law and order, protect women and children, and control the rising cost of essential commodities in the State.

In north Chennai, the protest was led by DMK deputy general secretary and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi near the Collectorate. The protesters raised slogans against the government over price rise and the alleged deterioration in law and order. They carried sacks of rice, cans of cooking oil, and other essential commodities to highlight the increase in prices. They also held placards bearing slogans such as “Law and order has become a laughing stock” and “Wake up from your sleep, Chief Minister!”

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Kanimozhi referred to incidents of child abduction and alleged trafficking, accusing the government of failing to ensure children’s safety even within their homes. She also alleged that members of the ruling party were involved in “abducting and selling children.”

Questioning Chief Minister Vijay’s appeal to his supporters, whom he referred to as “Nanbaas” and “Nanbees” (friends), to persuade their families to vote for him during the election campaign, she accused him of seeking children’s support to mobilise votes without ensuring their safety.

Ms. Kanimozhi said reports of child trafficking had heightened parents’ fears about their children’s safety. She urged people to bring the government to an end, warning that Tamil Nadu risked being pushed into a dark period if the situation continued.

She also alleged that investments were not coming into the State, law and order had deteriorated, women were unsafe, and children faced an uncertain future. The administration had become so ineffective that questions arose about whether the government was functioning properly, she said.

The DMK leader also criticised the government over the rising cost of essential commodities, saying many families were struggling to afford even their daily meals. The increase in the prices of onions, tomatoes, rice, pulses, and cooking oil had made it difficult for ordinary households to prepare food, let alone celebrate Deepavali, she said.

She said rice and pulses had become twice as expensive. She also questioned the government’s claim that better-quality rice would be distributed through ration shops, alleging that the existing rice was merely being polished and presented differently.

Contrasting the situation with the DMK’s tenure in power, Ms. Kanimozhi said Tamil Nadu had previously been at the forefront of investment, economic growth, education, and healthcare. The State was now lagging in several sectors while witnessing rising crime and prices, she alleged.

Taking a swipe at Mr. Vijay’s references to gifts for children and women, she urged him to prioritise their safety instead of distributing presents.

“Please give every woman in Tamil Nadu a can of pepper spray,” she said, alleging that the police and government machinery were failing to protect women. She suggested that pepper spray be distributed through ration shops to help women defend themselves.

Former Ministers P.K. Sekarbabu and Poongothai Aladi Aruna, along with district-level functionaries, participated in the protest.

In south Chennai, the protest was led by DMK Women’s Wing leaders Vijaya Thayanban and Kanimozhi Somu.

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