Former Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Arrested Over Controversial Remarks

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was arrested for allegedly making inappropriate comments about actress Trisha Krishnan. His remarks, made during a protest, have sparked significant backlash, leading to widespread protests across the state. The DMK party is rallying in his defense, while the ruling party has filed complaints against him. As tensions rise, the political landscape in Tamil Nadu is heating up ahead of the upcoming assembly session. This incident raises questions about political discourse and women's dignity in public life.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 4, 2026, 17:37 IST

Arrest of Udhayanidhi Stalin

Chennai, August 4 - Udhayanidhi Stalin, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was taken into custody on Tuesday for allegedly making 'double entendre' remarks about actress Trisha Krishnan, which were said to have undermined her dignity. According to police reports, he was arrested during a protest march in a city within the Cauvery Delta region and subsequently transported to Thanjavur.

The police have filed charges against him under various sections of the law, including the use of indecent language and violating a woman's dignity. Following his arrest, party workers expressed their outrage, staging significant protests across the state and blocking roads. In light of the upcoming assembly session starting on August 5, DMK President M.K. Stalin convened an emergency meeting at the party headquarters to strategize.

Sources within the party indicated that a plea for anticipatory bail was filed in the Madras High Court. Senior DMK leader K.N. Nehru stated that Udhayanidhi's comments were misrepresented. He was apprehended at his residence in Neelankarai, Chennai.

After his arrest, Udhayanidhi addressed reporters, stating, 'The court will decide.' He questioned, 'Did I mention anyone's name other than the Chief Minister? Why do you think all this is happening because of that remark? Let the court decide.' Following this, police took him away.

Udhayanidhi faces charges under nine sections, including inciting communal discord, provoking riots, insulting a woman's dignity, and making criminal threats. Additionally, provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Women Harassment Act have also been invoked.

Before his arrest, police officials engaged in discussions with his family and senior party leader M. Subramaniam. A large number of DMK supporters gathered outside his residence, protesting against the police action. However, senior police officials continued their discussions.

Meanwhile, the ruling Tamilaga Vetria Katchi (TVK) intensified its opposition to Udhayanidhi's alleged offensive remarks by filing complaints with both local police and the National Commission for Women. S. Bairavi, the coordinator of the TVK's Thanjavur Central District Women's Wing, lodged a complaint at the Thanjavur East police station. The complaint alleges that during a speech on the Cauvery issue on August 3, while the crowd was chanting 'Trisha, Trisha,' he made indecent and ambiguous comments.

The complainant accused Udhayanidhi and officials from the DMK's IT wing of deliberately insulting women, causing mental distress to the actress and others, and spreading public unrest by sharing a two-minute and 39-second video of the incident on the social media platform 'X.' Additionally, TVK's national spokesperson Pazha Selvakumar filed a formal complaint with the National Commission for Women in New Delhi, requesting the commission to issue a notice to Udhayanidhi for clarification and to demand an unconditional public apology.

In response to Udhayanidhi's arrest, DMK workers staged protests throughout the state, and several political leaders, including DMDK chief Premalatha Vijayakant and AIADMK's Deputy General Secretary K.P. Munusamy, criticized the government's actions.