Political Allies Condemn Arrest of Samsung Workers Amid Ongoing Protests

In response to widespread public discontent over the detention of Samsung workers engaged in strike activities, two affiliates of Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government have issued strong condemnations. Leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) held a press conference urging immediate action from the state’s Chief Minister.

VCK President and Member of Parliament for Chidambaram, Thol Thirumavalavan, alongside CPI(M) State General Secretary K. Balakrishnan, criticized the authorities for their actions. Both leaders called for the intervention of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to resolve the issue. Thirumavalavan stated, “It is deeply saddening that workers who were protesting peacefully have been arrested. The charges against them must be withdrawn immediately. The chief minister must intervene in this matter directly.”

The controversy centers around a midnight operation on October 9, executed by the Kanchipuram police, tasked with the jurisdiction over the Samsung facility in Sriperumbudur. Authorities dismantled protest tents and detained several individuals based on a complaint by the Revenue Divisional Officer alleging occupation of government land. Despite adverse weather conditions, hundreds of participants continued their sit-in after the tents were removed by police.

According to witnesses, on October 8, police stopped and checked the identification of workers as they made their way to the factory premises. Thirumavalavan criticized the state’s delay in recognizing the workers’ union, known as Samsung India Thozhilalar Sangam, under the Trade Union Act, following a Madras High Court directive issued on September 30 instructing the state to reach a decision within two weeks.

Expressing further discontent, Thirumavalavan condemned Samsung’s resistance to union stances as “authoritarian,” emphasizing, “We are not against foreign companies, but against their exploitation of workers.”

Citing an unproductive dialogue with working groups that did not represent striking laborers, Balakrishnan remarked that such actions are not characteristic of good democratic practices. He criticized the detention of numerous workers in undesirable conditions and described such measures as anti-worker policies that do not reflect well on the government’s reputation.

Both Thirumavalavan and Balakrishnan expressed their intention to meet with Chief Minister Stalin shortly to discuss the matter. Balakrishnan extended his solidarity to the striking workers, reiterating that systemic support for workers’ rights is essential for maintaining democratic principles.