AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday (August 14, 2025) came down heavily on the DMK government over the overnight detention of protesting conservancy workers of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) general secretary Premallatha Vijayakant, and other political leaders also condemned the workers’ detention.
K. Selvaperunthagai, president of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), an ally of the DMK, also expressed concern over the manner in which the protesters were evacuated and detained.
In a post on X, Mr. Palaniswami, addressing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, said: “At the entrance of Ripon Building, in the dead of night, your administration unleashed oppression, attacking and crushing the sanitation workers who, even during COVID-19, tirelessly cleaned our garbage and kept the city spotless. They were forcibly removed and imprisoned in various places by your enforcement machinery.”
“Who are they? Anti-social elements? Thugs? Naxalites? Not at all. They are poor, simple people! Those who worked daily to keep Chennai city clean. Is it a crime that these sanitation workers protested peacefully, condemning your failure to fulfil the promises you made and acting contrary to them,” he asked.
“The sanitation workers have been imprisoned in more than eight locations. I urge that they be released immediately and that those injured due to these reckless actions be provided proper medical treatment,” Mr. Palaniswami said.
‘CM should have held talks’
Taking to X, Dr. Anbumani said the workers’ detention is shocking, and that oppressing those who fight for their rights is “condemnable and inexcusable.” “With the protest going on for 12 days, Mr. Stalin should have held talks with the protesters and resolved the issue. But he does not have enough time to even watch movies. Does Mr. Stalin, who is an advocate for social justice, think that meeting sanitation workers is beneath him,” he asked.
“Unleashing force on poor people is not courage, it is cowardice. Fulfilling their demands is courage. It is certain that the day people remove the DMK from power is not far away,” Dr. Anbumani said.
In a separate post on X, Mr. Vijay condemned the arrest and termed the DMK regime “fascist”. “News has emerged that when these women sanitation workers were dragged away like bundles and arrested, they not only fainted but also sustained injuries. Watching this midnight arrest makes it clear that violence has been unleashed on women, which is intolerable to anyone with a conscience,” he said.
Immediate medical help and treatment must be provided to the injured, along with all necessary measures to protect their health, Mr. Vijay said. The arrested sanitation workers are being detained at different locations, where they are unable to contact their families or receive any assistance, he said.
“Are these sanitation workers enemies of the State that they must be kept away from even speaking to their own families? Does the ruling government even have a shred of conscience,” Mr. Vijay asked. “From this cruel act, it is evident whether the regime in Tamil Nadu is democratic or authoritarian,” he said.
“The sanitation workers have been protesting only to demand the fulfillment of the promises you made when you were in the Opposition. Why have you still not fulfilled those promises? If you cannot keep such promises, why do you make them in the first place,” Mr. Vijay further asked. He sought the immediate release of the detained sanitation workers, and said they must be given an alternative space to continue their protest and present their demands.
‘Police should have handled situation with compassion’
In a post on X, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said even though there is a Madras High Court direction that the conservancy workers can protest only at authorised places, the police should have handled the situation with compassion.
Talks should be held with the protesting workers, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said.
He also sought Mr. Stalin’s direct intervention in resolving the issue and ensuring the release of the detained workers and those who supported them.
‘Total mismanagement’
In a post on X, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan alleged that the issue points to “a total mismanagement by the DMK government.” Mr. Stalin should have met the workers and spoken to them positively, and the evacuation should have been done more warmly, she said.
“More painful to know that the Chief Minister, instead of meeting the protesting workers, was watching a movie. Very unfortunate situation in Tamil Nadu,” Ms. Soundararajan said.
DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakant also strongly condemned the overnight detention of the sanitation workers. In a statement, she said Mr. Stalin and the Ministers of the departments concerned should immediately hold talks with the protesting workers and fulfil their demands.
Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) leader G.K. Vasan slammed the Tamil Nadu government for “failing to resolve the genuine grievances of the conservancy workers.” Speaking at a press meet in Madurai, he demanded that a solution be arrived at within 48 hours.
“This is the reality of the governance of the DMK. The people of the State are filled with pain, disappointment, and disgust. Very soon, the curtains will fall on this anti-people government,” he added.
‘Inhuman act’
AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran also condemned the detention of the conservancy workers, and termed it an “inhuman act” that brought to an end their protest without resolving their demands. He also criticised the DMK government for involving the police in clearing the protesters.
“Even after they said that they would work only for the government, the fact that Ministers and officials forcing them to work for the private player during the talks, only reflect the inefficiency of this government,” Mr. Dhinakaran said. The former legislator further sought the release of the conservancy workers. He also insisted that the DMK government fulfil the assurance it had given in its electoral manifesto over regularising the services of the conservancy workers.
‘Heights of State terrorism’
Condemning the police action, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader S. Seeman alleged that the “brutal oppression” of the protesting workers by the DMK government is “heights of State terrorism.”
In a post on X, he said Mr. Stalin says slogans like Oraniyil Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Under One Front) and Ungaludan Stalin (Stalin With You). But then, why does he refuse to support the workers and is looking to privatise, he asked.
The DMK government opposes the privatisation move of the Union BJP government, but why it is backing privatisation when it comes to sanitation workers, Mr. Seeman asked. He also urged for the immediate release of the arrested workers and warned that if that does not happen, people will teach an appropriate lesson to the DMK in the upcoming election.