The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Tuesday accused the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of attempting to silence the Opposition after Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested over
his remarks about actor Trisha.
Condemning the arrest, DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson alleged that the controversy was being used to divert attention from the Cauvery water dispute and the state’s concerns over Karnataka’s alleged failure to release water.
“The entire issue has been side-tracked by the ruling TVK party. The issue is about the non-release of the 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water, as directed by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). Vijay is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Instead of taking up the issue with the entire party, Karnataka government and the Supreme Court, they have now started suppressing voices of the opposition,” Wilson told CNN-News18, alleging that the government’s focus had shifted from the Cauvery issue to targeting Opposition leaders.
Udhayanidhi Stalin Arrested
High-voltage political drama unfolded in Chennai on Tuesday morning after Tamil Nadu Police arrested Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin from his residence over his alleged objectionable remarks against actor Trisha.
The controversy erupted after Udhayanidhi, while addressing a protest rally over the Cauvery water dispute in Thanjavur on Monday, took a swipe at Chief Minister Joseph Vijay over the state’s water crisis.
During the speech, someone in the audience shouted “Trisha, Trisha.” Udhayanidhi briefly paused his speech and then, with a smirk on his face, responded to the sloganeering with an offensive double entendre, triggering a political storm.
‘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.
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.
The party has sought an “unconditional public apology” from Udhayanidhi, alleging he used “objectifying and vulgar rhetoric” against a woman. It has also demanded that the NCW issue a notice to the DMK leader and urged police to register a case against him for “outraging the modesty of women.”
