Udhayanidhi Stalin Arrested Over Controversial Remarks: Protests Erupt in Tamil Nadu

Udhayanidhi Stalin, former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was arrested for allegedly making inappropriate remarks about actress Trisha, leading to widespread protests by DMK supporters across the state. The police stated he would be released after questioning, but his arrest has ignited significant backlash. The DMK has sought anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court, while various political leaders have criticized the government's actions. As tensions rise, the situation remains fluid with ongoing demonstrations and political maneuvering ahead of the upcoming assembly session.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 4, 2026, 20:51 IST

Arrest of Udhayanidhi Stalin Sparks Outrage

Chennai, August 4 - Udhayanidhi Stalin, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was taken into custody on Tuesday for allegedly making a 'double entendre' remark regarding popular actress Trisha, which reportedly undermined her dignity. According to police, he will be released after questioning. The situation escalated outside his residence in Neelankarai as numerous supporters from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) gathered to protest against the police action.

In response, the DMK approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. Senior party leaders P.K. Shekhar Babu and K.N. Nehru were also present at the scene. Police informed Udhayanidhi's wife, Kiruthiga, and officials from opposition parties about the reasons for his arrest.

Before the hearing on the bail petition at the High Court, Udhayanidhi was apprehended. During the proceedings, the government stated that he would be released after interrogation by the Thanjavur police. Udhayanidhi was arrested in connection with controversial comments made during a protest march in a city within the Cauvery Delta.

Charges against him include various sections of the law, such as using indecent language and violating a woman's dignity. In response to his arrest, DMK workers condemned the action and initiated widespread protests across the state, blocking roads. Meanwhile, DMK President M.K. Stalin convened an emergency meeting at the party headquarters to strategize ahead of the assembly session starting on August 5.

Sources within the party indicated that they sought anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court. Senior DMK leader K.N. Nehru claimed that Udhayanidhi's comments were misrepresented. The Thanjavur police arrested him at his residence in Neelankarai, Chennai.

After his arrest, Udhayanidhi told reporters, 'The court will decide.' Before being taken away, he questioned, 'Did I mention anyone's name other than the Chief Minister during the protest in Thanjavur? Why do you think this is happening? Let the court decide.'

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

Prior to his arrest, police officials communicated with Udhayanidhi's family and senior party leader M. Subramaniam. A large number of DMK supporters gathered outside his residence, chanting slogans against the police action. However, senior police officials continued their discussions.

Meanwhile, the ruling Tamilaga Vetria Katchi (TVK) intensified its protests against Udhayanidhi's alleged offensive remarks, filing complaints with 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 alleged that during Udhayanidhi's speech on the Cauvery issue, when the crowd chanted 'Trisha, Trisha,' he made indecent and ambiguous comments.

The complainant accused Udhayanidhi and officials from the DMK's Information Technology 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 across the state, while several political leaders, including DMDK chief Premalatha Vijayakant and AIADMK's deputy general secretary K.P. Munusamy, criticized the government's actions. Tamil Nadu's Electricity Minister R. Nirmal Kumar questioned Udhayanidhi's qualifications for holding public office, stating that the mindset displayed by the opposition leader was entirely unacceptable for such a position.

DMK President M.K. Stalin launched a scathing attack on the TVK government, accusing it of arrogance and criticizing the alleged high-handedness in Udhayanidhi's arrest. Stalin claimed that police took him into custody from his Chennai residence in an arrogant manner and transported him to Thanjavur under non-bailable charges to prevent him from participating in the upcoming assembly budget session. He asserted that following public outrage, the government's lawyers had to admit in court that there was no intention to formally arrest him, attempting to cover up their embarrassment in court.

While the ruling TVK protested for action against Udhayanidhi, the main opposition party, the DMK, organized demonstrations against his arrest.