Udhayanidhi Stalin Arrested and Released on Bail Amid Political Clash in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested on Tuesday and later released on station bail following a controversy over remarks he allegedly made about Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and a female actor. The arrest took place at his residence in Chennai, after which he was transported approximately 300 kilometers to Thanjavur for questioning at the Sengipatti police station. He was released later that evening following a direction from the Madras High Court.

The incident began on Monday during a rally in Thanjavur concerning the Cauvery water dispute. According to reports, Udhayanidhi responded to crowd chants of a popular actress's name with a remark that critics and the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) described as a sexually suggestive double entendre and misogynistic. In response, a TVK women's wing functionary filed a complaint, leading to six FIRs across the state. Charges include insulting the modesty of a woman, obscenity, criminal intimidation, and promoting enmity between groups under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and the Information Technology Act.

Udhayanidhi denied the allegations, stating his speech was misinterpreted and that he intended only to discuss farmers' welfare and the Cauvery river water issue. He accused the TVK government of manufacturing the controversy to divert attention from its handling of the water dispute. DMK president M K Stalin criticized the arrest as fascist and questioned why his son was transported to Thanjavur if the goal was merely interrogation. Conversely, TVK minister KG Arunraj stated the government had a responsibility to ensure that no one escapes the rule of law after committing a despicable crime.

The event occurred on the eve of the Assembly's Budget Session, leading to statewide protests by both DMK and TVK supporters. In a separate but related development, DMK MLA G V Markandeyan was also released on bail on Tuesday after being arrested for allegedly threatening to break the bones of Chief Minister Vijay inside the Legislative Assembly.