Four Years of DMK Rule in Tamil Nadu: Surge in Political Violence, Drug Crimes, and Attacks on Women Raise Alarm

Chennai. As the DMK government completes four years in power, mounting concerns over law and order in Tamil Nadu are echoing across political and civil society circles. Opposition parties have accused the ruling regime of failing to curb a rising wave of violent crimes, including political assassinations, drug trafficking, and offenses against women and children.

While the DMK administration claims progress—citing official statistics that suggest a drop in murders—critics argue that numbers alone don’t reflect the growing fear among political activists, government officials, and citizens at large.

Disputed Murder Statistics vs. Political Reality

According to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, murder cases in Tamil Nadu dropped by 6.8% in 2024, and revenge killings fell by 42%. However, recent high-profile assassinations have challenged this narrative. Political observers point to a climate of fear and impunity, particularly following the gruesome murder of Congress leader K.P.K. Jayakumar Dhanasingh in May 2024. His charred body, found with limbs tied by electric wire, was recovered just days after he reportedly received death threats—yet no preventive police action was taken.

In July 2024, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu president Armstrong was brutally hacked to death by a gang of six men in Chennai. Despite prior threats and an ongoing conflict linked to a previous murder, authorities failed to provide security, prompting questions about police intelligence and political accountability.

‘Black Day’ in Tamil Nadu Politics

July 28, 2024, marked a dark day in the state’s political history, as two politicians from rival parties were killed within 24 hours. AIADMK ward secretary Padmanabhan was murdered in Cuddalore, while BJP Sivaganga unit secretary Selvakumar was fatally attacked in public. Both incidents remain unsolved, highlighting the deteriorating security for political workers.

Social Activists, Government Officials Targeted

Even non-political figures have not been spared. In April 2023, Village Administrative Officer (VAO) Lourdusamy was hacked to death at work after reporting illegal sand mining. In 2024, social activist Bertin Rayan—known for exposing illegal construction—was attacked with weapons. And in January 2025, AIADMK minority wing leader Jagabar Ali, who had warned of public mobilization against mineral theft, died in what is widely suspected to be a staged lorry accident.

Drug Trafficking and Illicit Liquor: A Growing Crisis

One of the most pressing challenges under DMK rule has been the escalation of drug trafficking and illicit liquor-related deaths. The Kallakurichi hooch tragedy renewed concerns about law enforcement lapses.

According to Tamil Nadu Police’s Enforcement Bureau, seizure of prescription drugs used for abuse surged from 39,910 pills in 2023 to 1.42 lakh in 2024—a threefold rise. In just the first two months of 2025, over 24,000 pills were confiscated. Authorities are grappling with drug networks that target school and college students, raising alarms about a generation at risk.

Crimes Against Women and Children on the Rise

Official data paints a grim picture for women and child safety in the state:

• Sexual assault cases increased by 16% in 2021, the DMK’s first year.

• POCSO cases rose by 52% from 2023 to 2024.

• Domestic violence complaints rose by over 21% in the same period.

• Crimes against women overall have gone up by 33.5% since 2021, according to police policy briefs.

Experts and activists argue that the rising drug culture, enabled by weak enforcement, is interlinked with crimes against women and vulnerable groups.

Unkept Promises and Political Accountability

In the 2021 assembly elections, Chief Minister Stalin had pledged a “crime-free state” that would ensure the safety of women, children, and the elderly. In 2022, he assured district collectors of strict action against anti-social elements. Yet, many of the most disturbing crimes have occurred after these proclamations, prompting critics to ask: Where is the “iron fist” the Chief Minister promised?

Opposition parties, civil rights groups, and public figures are demanding transparency, accountability, and a revised law and order strategy that goes beyond numbers to ensure real safety on the ground