Daijiworld Media Network- Chennai

Chennai, Aug 14: In a scathing attack on the DMK government, Tamil superstar and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Wednesday condemned what he described as a “fascist and inhumane” midnight police action against protesting sanitation workers in Chennai.

The protest, staged for 13 consecutive days outside the iconic Ripon Building — headquarters of the Greater Chennai Corporation — took a dramatic turn after the Madras High Court ordered the removal of the agitators. Acting on the directive, police moved in during the early hours, detaining nearly 900 workers.

Vijay alleged that several women collapsed during the operation, while others sustained injuries as they were 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. I strongly condemn this,” he said, urging immediate medical aid for the injured.

The sanitation workers have been opposing the civic body’s decision to outsource conservancy operations in Zones V and VI, demanding permanent employment, salary security, and the rollback of privatisation plans.

Calling the arrests “anarchic” and “brutal”, Vijay said the government’s handling of the protest had “shamed democracy” and vowed to stand by the workers until their demands are addressed.