Udhayanidhi Stalin Criticizes Tamil Nadu Government After Release from Police Custody
Udhayanidhi Stalin's Release and Criticism of the Government
Following his release from police custody under the orders of the Madras High Court, Udhayanidhi Stalin, former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and a leader of the DMK, launched a fierce critique against the ruling TVK government. He claimed that during police actions, he was treated like a "terrorist" and was unjustly transported to Thanjavur via road.
After approximately an hour and a half of questioning at the Sengipatti police station in Tiruchirappalli, Udhayanidhi was released on station bail, as directed by the Madras High Court.
Denial of Allegations
Udhayanidhi firmly rejected the allegations of making inappropriate comments about actress Trisha Krishnan. He stated that his remarks had a singular meaning, made in the context of advocating for the release of water from the Cauvery for farmers' welfare.
As the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, he asserted that he had not spoken ill of anyone and accused Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of attempting to divert attention from pressing issues. He emphasized, "I did not speak with any ill intent. This disgraceful government arrested me for supporting farmers. I reiterate that I am not afraid of this arrest. Some have claimed my comments had dual meanings, which I completely deny. My words had only one meaning, and I intended nothing else."
Critique of the TVK Government
Describing the TVK government as a "circus camp," Udhayanidhi expressed that he was not intimidated by false charges. He remarked, "I do not consider this a legitimate government; it is nothing more than a circus. When this government sees DMK legislators, their first reaction is to arrest them. We are now going to meet our leader, who will guide us and advise on the next steps." He also criticized the government for treating him like a terrorist and for the manner in which he was taken to Thanjavur.
Court's Intervention
Udhayanidhi's release came after the Madras High Court intervened in the case concerning the comments about Trisha. The court instructed the Tamil Nadu police to release him on station bail the same day. This order followed his detention for remarks made during a speech regarding the Cauvery water dispute, where he criticized Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. His comments were controversially linked to the friendship between Trisha and Vijay, leading to accusations of sexual innuendo and sparking political controversy, with various parties across the state condemning the remarks.
Controversial Remarks on Cauvery Water
The controversy began during a rally addressing the Cauvery water-sharing issue, where Udhayanidhi accused the Chief Minister of failing to secure Tamil Nadu's share of river water and remaining silent on the matter. While addressing the crowd, a section repeatedly mentioned actress Trisha's name, alluding to her well-known friendship with Vijay. Udhayanidhi paused, smiled, and remarked that whether the Cauvery water reaches elsewhere or not, it should "reach there," clarifying that he was indeed referring to the river. Critics interpreted this statement as a sexual innuendo, igniting a political uproar and drawing condemnation from opposition parties.
Video Coverage
VIDEO | Tiruchirappalli: Former Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin addresses a press conference at Tiruchirappalli Airport after leaving Sengipatti Police Station.
— Media House (@Media_Channel) August 4, 2026
(Full video available on Media Channel - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/PgSMkgsB5x