Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday lashed out at the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after being arrested by the Thanjavur Police over his controversial remarks about actor
Trisha during a protest over the Cauvery water dispute.
Udhayanidhi Stalin called TVK a “bunch of idiots”, while stating that he is ready to face the consequences.
Claiming the case was politically motivated, the DMK leader accused the ruling party of trying to divert attention from the Cauvery issue and silence the Opposition.
“The ruling party has no answers to the Opposition’s questions on farmers’ issues and the Cauvery issue. To divert attention from the questions I raised during yesterday’s protest, they are arresting me. They are circulating edited clips of my speech and spreading fake news. I am ready to face the consequences, and I am not afraid of the fabricated case against me,” he said, while being escorted by the police.
When reporters asked whether he believed the action was politically motivated, Udhayanidhi replied, “I don’t think they have the brains to make this a political issue. They are a bunch of idiots. I’ll face the consequences.”
Udhayanidhi Arrested
High-voltage political drama unfolded in Chennai earlier in the day as police arrested Udhayanidhi from his Neelangarai residence in connection with his remarks made during a DMK protest in Thanjavur on Monday.
Also Read: ‘Ready To Face Consequences’: Udhayanidhi Stalin After Arrest Over Remarks Against Trisha | Exclusive
The controversy erupted after the DMK leader responded to supporters repeatedly chanting actor Trisha’s name while he was attacking Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay over the state’s handling of the Cauvery dispute.
His response, widely interpreted by many as a double entendre directed at the actor, sparked widespread political outrage and led to a police complaint by a member of TVK’s women’s wing, Bhairavi.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Udhayanidhi under six sections, including non-bailable offences.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Madras High Court directed police not to take any coercive action against him until 12 pm.
However, he was arrested at around 11 am. Senior DMK leaders and ministers, including E.V. Velu, K.N. Nehru, P.K. Sekarbabu and Ma. Subramanian, rushed to his residence in support, while several party workers protesting outside were also detained.
Udhayanidhi is now being taken to Thanjavur Magistrate Court to be produced before a magistrate.
‘Vulgar, Offensive’: TVK Lodges Complaint With NCW
Thalapathy Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has since approached the National Commission for Women (NCW), seeking action against Udhayanidhi over the alleged remarks.
Also Read: ‘TVK Trying To Suppress Oppn Voice’: DMK’s First Reaction To Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Arrest Over Trisha Remarks
In its complaint, the party described the comments as “deeply troubling and offensive” and urged the Commission to take cognisance of the incident.
“Udhayanidhi Stalin resorted to offensive, double-meaning remarks and vulgar innuendos targeting a prominent female public figure, prompted by an audience chant,” the complaint said.
“Such language, delivered from a high-profile political platform, normalises the objectification and verbal harassment of women in public space,” it added.
