Tamil Nadu Diwali Murders: DMK, AIADMK, BJP Target Vijay Government

Four opposition parties in Tamil Nadu accused Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s government on 9 and 10 November of failing to keep order after a string of killings on Diwali day, 8 November. DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, the BJP’s Narayanan Thirupathy and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss each posted a count of the dead, between nine and 11, across Theni, Tiruvallur, Tiruchirappalli, Chennai and other districts. The Union Home Ministry has reportedly asked Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for a report, according to DT Next, which cited sources in New Delhi; there is no official statement on this.

Nine, Ten or Eleven: The Counts Differ

The figures come from the parties, not from the police. Kanimozhi and Palaniswami each cited 11 killings in one day. Anbumani put it at 10, including a police officer. Thirupathy said nine people were murdered in separate incidents. Kanimozhi said Vijay would not speak up “however many lives were lost” and warned: “Chief Minister, do not assume that people will put up with everything forever!” Palaniswami wrote that “law and order have completely collapsed in Tamil Nadu”. Thirupathy called it a “complete breakdown of law and order”.

The best-documented case is in Theni, where Special Sub-Inspector Senthilkumar was allegedly beaten to death by a group of youths after he confronted them for bursting crackers and filming videos on a road, as reported by Organiser. Police said three people had been detained and that questioning was on to identify others. Vijay condoled the officer’s death and announced financial assistance for his family. Officials told the outlet that many of the clashes involved heavy drinking, sudden anger or older enmities.

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Liquor and Tablet Seizures Raised

Anbumani blamed alcohol as the main factor and asked the government to shut liquor shops during festivals, with prohibition as the long-term goal. Thirupathy linked several cases to drinking and said seizures of pharmaceutical tablets in 2026 were more than 12 times last year’s level. He asked for visible action against drunken disorder and the supply of narcotics. These are the parties’ claims; the seizure figure has not been verified by IPB.

Why Vijay Holds the Spotlight

Vijay, who leads the TVK government, also holds the Home portfolio, so law-and-order criticism lands on him directly. The state’s Tamil Nadu coverage on IPB News tracks the government’s other decisions.

What the Governor’s Report Could Lead To

A Governor’s report on law and order is a routine channel for the Centre to seek information from a state; it does not by itself change anything. Neither Raj Bhavan nor the Home Ministry has released the request. The TVK government has not published a district-wise tally of the 8 November killings, so the opposition’s numbers remain unreconciled. TVK MLAs meet in Chennai on 11 November, and the agenda is reported to include legislators’ conduct.

Source: Based on reporting by DT Next, Organiser and ANI.

Image: PTI / File.