Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, clad in a green dhoti, flogged himself in front of his residence in Coimbatore, protesting against the state police.

BJP leader Annamalai also announced that he would fast for 48 days and wouldn't wear footwear until the DMK was removed from power in Tamil Nadu.

Annamalai was seen whipping himself and after he completed his six-whip, one of the men standing behind rushed towards him and stopped him from further whipping himself.

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan when questioned, confirmed the accused was a frequent visitor to the campus as he had ties with a staff member. He also addressed concerns over the sexual assault incident at Anna University speaking on security lapses and insufficient oversight.

The BJP leader alleged that the accused committed the crime emboldened by his affiliation to the ruling party. The DMK, however, has said that the accused in the varsity student sexual assault case was not even a primary member of the DMK.

The Chennai City police have registered a case against members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for organising a protest against the sexual assault on a student of Anna University, by carrying a cloth dummy symbolising the ruling DMK and insisting that it be “treated for weakness” at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH).

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai flogged himself six times Friday morning to begin a protest against the ruling DMK, over the Anna University incident and to ensure the party is defeated in the 2026 election.

The Madras High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the Anna University sexual assault case, compelling the state to explain its handling of the investigation amid serious allegations regarding the accused's background and police conduct.