Cautioning that drug abuse and indirect glorification in cinema and popular culture could devastate the future of young people, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday said the fight against narcotics should become a collective social responsibility.
Inaugurating MDMK founder Vaiko’s ‘Equality March’ in Tiruchy, a city described as a historic centre of the Dravidian movement, Stalin also warned against the “more dangerous intoxication” of divisive religious politics.
“Glorifying intoxication in cinema can destroy an entire generation. Highlighting the ill-effects of drugs is necessary. But glorifying it would destroy a generation,” he said.
Stalin said drug abuse is no longer a personal issue and has become a serious social problem, particularly affecting the youth. He stressed that parents and teachers must act with social responsibility to prevent youngsters from falling prey to drugs.
Detailing the state’s crackdown on narcotics, the CM said Tamil Nadu police, in coordination with central agencies, had seized over ₹1,000 crore worth of narcotics in the last few months. Those involved in these cases have links across States like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
He said drugs were entering the country through ports and called for coordinated action between the Centre and the States to dismantle the organised drug trafficking network operating across India.
Referring to recent incidents of attacks by religious fundamentalists on Christmas celebrations in several places, Stalin said equality and communal harmony had prevailed in Tamil Nadu and there was no space for divisive politics in the State.
Speaking on the occasion, Vaiko said Tamil Nadu was facing a threat from “Sanatana forces” trying to divide people on religious lines. He said the Equality March aimed to reinforce the values of social justice and communal harmony.
Vaiko described the 2026 Assembly election as a battle for equality and said Dravidian and democratic secular forces led by Chief Minister Stalin would not allow communal politics to take root in Tamil Nadu.
Indian Union Muslim League president Kader Mohideen, Dravida Kazhagam general secretary K. Veeramani, Makkal Needhi Maiam general secretary A. Arumugam and MDMK principal secretary Durai Vaiko also spoke.