The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu Police to release Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on station bail, hours after he was arrested in connection with a controversial remark made during a public meeting in Thanjavur.
The arrest stemmed from a speech delivered by Udhayanidhi while criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over the Cauvery water dispute. During the event, members of the crowd repeatedly chanted actor Trisha’s name, following which the opposition leader allegedly made a double-meaning remark that many interpreted as referring to the actor. The statement quickly triggered widespread criticism from political parties and women’s groups across the state.
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A complaint was filed at the Thanjavur East Police Station by S. Bairavi, the Central District Women’s Wing Organiser of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The complainant alleged that Udhayanidhi’s response was obscene, insulting to women and intended to demean actor Trisha. It further accused him and members of the DMK IT wing of circulating a video of the speech on social media to provoke public unrest.
Soon after police reached Udhayanidhi’s residence in Neelankarai, his legal team moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
During the hearing, Tamil Nadu Advocate General Vijay Narayan informed the court that the police had arrested Udhayanidhi and taken him to Thanjavur but had no intention of seeking judicial custody. Instead, the police intended only to question him before releasing him on station bail.
Accepting the submission, the Madras High Court directed the police to release the opposition leader the same day.
The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including offences related to using obscene language, insulting the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity, provocation with intent to cause a riot and criminal intimidation.
Speaking briefly to reporters before being escorted by police, Udhayanidhi defended himself without directly addressing the allegations. “Did I mention anyone’s name except the Chief Minister’s? Then why do you think this is happening? Let the court decide,” he said.
His arrest triggered protests by DMK workers across Tamil Nadu, with party cadres staging demonstrations and road blockades in several districts. DMK president M.K. Stalin also convened a meeting at the party headquarters to discuss the party’s response ahead of the Assembly session scheduled to begin on August 5.
Meanwhile, TVK escalated the issue by filing complaints with local police authorities and the National Commission for Women (NCW). Party national spokesperson Pazha Selvakumar submitted a representation to the NCW in New Delhi, urging the Commission to seek an explanation from Udhayanidhi and direct him to issue an unconditional public apology over the alleged remark.
The controversy has further intensified the political rivalry between the ruling DMK and TVK, with the matter now expected to remain under legal as well as political scrutiny in the days ahead.
