Udhayanidhi Stalin arrested for 'double-meaning' remark, released

Former Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has been arrested for an alleged 'double-meaning' remark alluding to popular actor Trisha, sparking widespread protests from DMK cadres and drawing sharp criticism from political rivals.

Former Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested here on Tuesday and questioned before he was released in Thanjavur on station bail by the police in the case of alleged double-meaning remark alluding to popular actor Trisha and insulting her modesty.

Udhayanidhi, who walked out of the Sengipatti police station after an hour-long grilling, rejected the allegation saying he made a "single-meaning" remark, demanding Cauvery water for the state.

He also denounced what he called the alleged use of the "cut, copy, paste" method of distortion for his arrest and claimed he was taken like a terrorist by police.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Udhayanidhi was arrested following a complaint lodged at the Thanjavur East Police Station by S Bairavi, TVK's Central District Women's Wing organiser for his alleged derogatory remark alluding to actor Trisha during a protest meeting on August 3 at Thanjavur.

As soon as the police reached his residence, Udhayanidhi moved the Madras high court seeking anticipatory bail.

However, he was arrested and the police submitted in the court that they had no idea of remanding him and that he would be set free on station bail after questioning.

He was charged under various sections of BNS including the one related to the use of obscene words and insulting the modesty of a woman.

The arrest of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) top leader on the eve of the commencement of the Budget session of the assembly, triggered widespread protests from party cadres.

Political Fallout and Protests

Also, it drew sharp criticism from political parties with his father and former Chief Minister M K Stalin hitting out at the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) regime saying "arrogance will lead to destruction."

He slammed the TVK government as being "fascist," and asked why his son was taken to Thanjavur if questioning was the objective of police.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed the government for arresting the Leader of Opposition a day ahead of budget session and also hit out at Udhayanidhi for his alleged crass remark.

Udhayanidhi, also the leader of opposition, who was arrested by 11 am at Chennai was released at about 8.10 pm at Sengipatti about 27 km from Thanjavur.
When he walked out of the Sengipatti police station, a large number of party workers burst fire crackers and garlanded their leader.

A battery of lawyers and top DMK leaders including PK Sekarbabu were with Udhayanidhi.
In the morning, chaotic scenes unfolded as DMK cadres gathered in large numbers outside Udhayanidhi's Neelankarai residence here and raised slogans and opposed the police action.

Complaints and Condemnation

Udhayanidhi, who was picked up from his residence in Chennai's Neelankarai by the Thanjavur police, told reporters gathered there that "the court will decide."

"Did I mention anyone's name except the CM's? (at the protest held in Thanjavur). Then why do you think this is happening? Let the court decide," he said, before being escorted away by the police.

Promoting enmity, provocation with intent to cause a riot, and criminal intimidation were among the nine sections invoked against Udhayanidhi.

Provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act have also been invoked, police sources added.

The complaint lodged with police alleged that when the crowd chanted "Trisha, Trisha" during the Leader of the Opposition's speech on the Cauvery issue on Monday, he responded with an obscene, double-meaning remark..

Political Reactions

The complainant accused him and DMK IT wing office-bearers of "intentionally degrading" women, causing "mental agony" to the actor and women in general, and deliberately circulating a 2-minute, 39-second video of the incident on the social media platform X to cause public unrest.

Also, the ruling TVK escalated its protest against Udhayanidhi's alleged offensive remark by filing complaints with the local police and the National Commission for Women.

TVK national spokesperson Pazha Selvakumar lodged a formal complaint with the NCW in New Delhi.

Reacting strongly to Udhayanidhi's arrest, DMK cadres staged protests across the state, while political leaders, including DMDK chief Premalatha Vijayakant criticised the government's action.

Tamil Nadu electricity minister R Nirmal Kumar questioned Udhayanidhi's fundamental eligibility to hold public office.

Kumar stated that the mindset displayed by the Leader of Opposition is "completely unacceptable" for public office.

Treated Like Terrorist, Alleges Udhayanidhi 

"With 3,000 police personnel, they took us by road for 400 km from Chennai to Thanjavur like a terrorist. They did not treat us properly," Udhayanidhi Stalin said in Tiruchirappalli on Tuesday, after being released by the police.

Speaking to reporters at the airport here, Udhayanidhi dismissed the allegation as "false" and said he had spoken in "single meaning" to demand the release of Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu.

"They cut, copied, and pasted my speech to claim I spoke inappropriately. Some have accused me of using double meaning. I spoke with only a single meaning: the farmers need water. I have absolutely no intention of disrespecting women. I view every mother and sister in Tamil Nadu as my own family," he clarified, expressing disappointment that even some allied political leaders had condemned him without verifying the full context of his speech.

He characterised his arrest as a desperate "diversionary tactic" orchestrated by a government unable to address the genuine grievances of the state's farmers.

He alleged that the state apparatus was being misused to intimidate the opposition ahead of the upcoming legislative assembly session.