In a fiery assembly speech, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin categorically denied jailing any government employee for protesting, setting his DMK rule apart from predecessors.
The exchange unfolded on the assembly’s third day as AIADMK MLAs grilled the government. Stalin countered forcefully, emphasizing restraint and empathy toward agitating staff.
“No protester among our government workforce has seen the inside of a jail cell under us,” he stated unequivocally. He ruled out any use of draconian measures like TESMA, which past regimes deployed liberally.
Stalin lambasted the AIADMK era for its crackdowns: arrests of educators, overnight detentions, and jail terms for peaceful dissent. He name-checked ex-CM Palaniswami for insulting salary demands, a slight that lingers in collective memory.
Celebrating a recent milestone, Stalin noted employees’ joy over the 23-year pension battle’s resolution. Sweets arrived at his office—a token of appreciation for long-overdue justice.
Accusing rivals of discomfort at this harmony, the CM framed his policies as a new dawn for Tamil Nadu’s public servants, contrasting sharply with authoritarian past practices. This narrative bolsters DMK’s pro-labor image ahead of future elections.