Santosh Narayanan on migrant attack: Blanket hate against outsiders, films glorifying violence, politicians and caste groups enabling it sparks serious debate in Tamil Nadu

Santosh Narayanan on migrant attack: Blanket hate against outsiders, films glorifying violence, politicians and caste groups enabling it has drawn wide attention after the noted Tamil music composer spoke openly about rising violence and hostility toward people from other States living and working in Tamil Nadu. His comments came in the wake of a recent assault on a young migrant worker from Odisha on a local train in the State.

In a strongly worded social media post shared late Tuesday night, Santosh Narayanan reflected on what he described as a disturbing pattern of growing intolerance and aggression. He said such incidents were no longer isolated acts but part of a wider problem involving social attitudes, political influence, and the normalisation of violence.

The composer shared personal experiences from the area of Chennai where he has lived for more than a decade. He described the locality as extremely unsafe during night hours, pointing to the presence of criminal elements and repeated incidents of violence. According to him, substance abuse and lawlessness have become common, creating fear among residents and workers.

Santosh Narayanan on migrant attack highlights everyday violence and fear

Santosh Narayanan also spoke about incidents near his studio site, where construction workers have allegedly been attacked multiple times. He recalled one incident where an accused individual reportedly showed no fear even during police action, claiming the person appeared heavily intoxicated. The composer said such behaviour reflects how deeply violence has been normalised in some sections of society.

He further alleged that many attackers openly display hatred toward people from other States. According to him, migrants are often seen as easy targets and face abuse simply because of their identity. He said this blanket hatred against outsiders is dangerous and goes against basic human values.

Narayanan also criticised the role played by local political factions and caste-based groups. He alleged that instead of discouraging violence, some of these groups step in to support offenders, especially young men involved in such attacks. He said this support system emboldens criminals and ultimately destroys multiple lives, including those of the attackers themselves.

The composer did not limit his criticism to society alone. He also reflected on the entertainment industry and admitted that cinema plays a role in shaping behaviour. He said the boundary between violence shown on screen and violence in real life has become increasingly unclear. According to him, repeated glorification of aggression can influence young minds and create a false sense of pride around brutality.

Santosh Narayanan on migrant attack linked to recent Tiruttani train incident

The comments came days after a violent incident involving a 20-year-old youth from Odisha, Suraj, who was attacked while travelling on a Chennai–Tiruttani EMU train. According to police records, the young man was allegedly forced off the train by four minor boys and taken to abandoned quarters, where he was assaulted with sharp weapons. The attack was reportedly filmed and later circulated on social media, adding to public outrage.

Police officials later stated that investigations did not find evidence of racial motivation or drug influence in the Tiruttani case. The four accused minors were apprehended the following day and booked under attempt to murder provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. They were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, which sent three of them to a place of safety, while one was handed over to his parents.

Suraj was initially admitted to a government hospital in Chennai for treatment. After receiving medical care, he later left the hospital and returned to his hometown in Odisha.

While police findings differed from public perception, Santosh Narayanan’s remarks have triggered a wider discussion on migrant safety, social responsibility, and the role of institutions in preventing violence. Many people online supported his call for accountability and responsible behaviour across society. Also Read: The lines between glorified violence on screen and real incidents have really started to blur: Santhosh Narayanan

Conclusion

Santosh Narayanan’s comments have added a strong voice to the ongoing debate on violence, migrant safety, and social responsibility in Tamil Nadu. As investigations continue and public discussions grow, the focus remains on addressing the deeper causes of hatred and preventing such incidents in the future.