Renowned music composer Santhosh Narayanan has taken to social media to condemn the violent attack on a migrant worker in Tiruttani, calling for urgent action to address rising crime and substance abuse in parts of Tamil Nadu.In his note on X (formerly Twitter), Narayanan recounted his decade-long experience living in a challenging area of Chennai, where he says hooliganism and criminal behaviour—often linked with drug use—have made life unsafe, especially at night. He revealed that several of his construction worker friends have been attacked recently, and criticised the culture of violence and racial hostility towards people from other states.
Narayanan also drew attention to what he described as the influence of caste-based groups and local political factions that, he believes, sometimes support youth who engage in violent acts. He stressed the need for greater realism and responsibility in tackling these issues, urging collective action to protect vulnerable individuals.
The composer’s comments came after a 20-year-old migrant worker from Odisha was reportedly assaulted by a group of juveniles near Tiruttani on December 27, prompting arrests under the Juvenile Justice Act.
Narayanan’s statement has added to the broader public outcry over the incident, with other cultural figures and political voices also demanding stronger measures to prevent such crimes and ensure safety for all residents and workers in the region.