61% Rise in Crimes Against Children Under DMK Rule: Is Tamil Nadu Failing Its Youngest?

Crimes against children in Tamil Nadu have risen sharply during the rule of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, raising serious questions about the state's ability to protect its youngest citizens. Official data from the National Crime Records Bureau shows that cases involving crimes against children increased from 4,338 in 2020 under the previous AIADMK government to 6,968 in 2023 during the DMK's tenure.

The 61 per cent jump in just three years has triggered strong criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the DMK administration of failing to control a disturbing rise in crimes against minors. The issue has gained even greater political weight after a youth wing functionary linked to the ruling party was arrested in connection with the sexual assault and death of a two and a half year old girl in Krishnagiri district.

For critics, the numbers and the recent incidents together reflect not just isolated crimes but a deeper failure in governance, policing and the systems meant to protect children.

Crime numbers climb steadily under DMK government

NCRB data shows that crimes against children have increased every year since the DMK came to power.

Tamil Nadu recorded 6,064 cases in 2021. The number rose to 6,580 in 2022 and climbed further to 6,968 in 2023.

Opposition leaders argue that the steady rise exposes the gap between the government's claims about law and order and the reality reflected in official data.

The details within the data make the situation even more disturbing.

In 2023 alone, 67 children were murdered in Tamil Nadu. Two of those victims were sexually assaulted before being killed.

Across the first three years of the DMK government, 217 children were murdered in the state. Seven victims were sexually assaulted before their deaths.

Even infanticide, which authorities have long claimed to have eliminated, has not disappeared completely. Twenty eight infants were killed during the same period.

Critics say these figures reveal a growing failure to deter crimes against the most vulnerable sections of society.

Krishnagiri horror places DMK under direct scrutiny

The debate over child safety intensified after the brutal sexual assault and death of a two and a half year old girl in Anchetti in Krishnagiri district.

Police arrested Kalaignar alias M Periyanayagam, who investigators say was associated with a local unit of the DMK youth wing. According to investigators, the accused knew the child's family and had been in a relationship with the girl's mother.

The arrest has turned the case into a major political flashpoint.

Opposition leaders argue that the involvement of a person linked to the ruling party raises serious concerns about accountability and governance under the DMK administration.

Fake camp case exposes glaring security lapse

Another disturbing case from Krishnagiri district has further shaken public confidence in child safety systems.

Near Bargur, police say a man identified as Sivaraman entered a private school claiming that he was conducting a training camp similar to programmes run by the National Cadet Corps.

Investigators allege that the accused used the camp as a cover to sexually assault several girl students.

The case has raised serious questions about how such an activity was allowed to take place inside a school campus without proper background verification or supervision.

Authorities are also examining allegations that the school did not immediately report the incident to the police.

The accused later died in prison while in custody.

Alcohol and drug spread blamed for worsening situation

Critics have also pointed to the growing spread of alcohol outlets and narcotic substances such as ganja across several parts of Tamil Nadu.

Opposition leaders and activists argue that easy access to alcohol and drugs near residential areas and educational institutions has weakened social conditions and increased the vulnerability of children.

They accuse the DMK government of failing to act decisively against narcotics networks and illegal activities that threaten public safety.

Justice delayed as Tamil Nadu struggles with POCSO court shortage

The crisis is further deepened by delays in the justice system.

Nearly sixty per cent of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act remain pending in Tamil Nadu, leaving thousands of victims and their families waiting for justice.

A major reason behind the backlog is the severe shortage of special POCSO courts in the state.

Despite the large number of cases, Tamil Nadu currently has only 14 dedicated POCSO courts to handle offences involving children. Many districts still do not have exclusive POCSO courts, forcing cases to be transferred to Mahila courts or fast track courts that handle several other types of cases at the same time.

Child rights activists argue that this shortage has slowed trials and weakened the child friendly legal framework envisioned under the POCSO Act.

The Supreme Court had directed states in 2019 to establish special courts in districts where more than one hundred POCSO cases were pending. Critics say Tamil Nadu has still not built the required judicial infrastructure to match the rising number of cases.

Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Regupathy said in April 2025 that the state plans to establish fourteen additional special courts at the district judge level across fourteen districts in phases.

However, opposition leaders argue that the government should have acted much earlier as the number of crimes against children continued to climb year after year.

POCSO cases surge across the state

The rise in crimes against children is also reflected in the sharp increase in POCSO cases across Tamil Nadu.

Government figures show that 3,090 cases were registered in 2020. The number rose to 4,465 in 2021 before increasing further in the following years. By 2022 the figure had reached 6,580 cases and in 2023 it stood at 6,968.

While the DMK government claims that the increase reflects greater reporting and awareness, critics argue that awareness alone cannot explain such a steep rise.

Growing pressure on the DMK government

The DMK government maintains that strict action is taken against offenders and that the law will take its course regardless of political affiliation.

However, rising crime figures, the shortage of POCSO courts, delays in justice and disturbing incidents such as those reported in Krishnagiri have intensified criticism of the administration.

For critics, the 61 per cent rise in crimes against children during the DMK's tenure raises a serious question about governance and accountability.

As Tamil Nadu moves closer to the next Assembly elections, the debate over whether Tamil Nadu is doing enough to protect its youngest citizens is becoming harder to ignore.