Former Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, after his arrest for an alleged "double-meaning" remark alluding to popular actor Trisha, in Chennai, Tuesday, August 4. PTI
LIVE | ‘Treated like a terrorist’: Udhayanidhi Stalin slams TVK govt after release
DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested from his Chennai residence after Thanjavur police registered a case over an alleged remark referencing actress Trisha Krishnan
Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested from his residence in Neelankarai, Chennai, by a team of Thanjavur police personnel on Tuesday (August 4) morning. He is being taken to Thanjavur for interrogation in connection with a case registered over alleged derogatory remarks made during a farmers’ protest the previous day.
The arrest follows the registration of a case at the Thanjavur East Police Station based on a complaint by the organiser of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) women’s wing. The FIR invokes sections related to harassment of women, hate speech, the Information Technology Act, and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The controversy stems from a DMK-organised demonstration near the Panagal Building in Thanjavur on Monday (August 3), led by Udhayanidhi. The protest highlighted the ongoing Cauvery water crisis, the dry state of delta rivers during the Aadi Perukku festival, delayed water release from the Mettur Dam affecting Kuruvai cultivation, shortfalls against Cauvery Water Management Authority allocations, opposition to Karnataka’s Mekedatu project, and demands for drought declaration with relief of Rs 25,000 per acre for farmers.
What happened at Thanjavur protest?
Addressing the gathering, Udhayanidhi sharply criticised Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, calling him an “administratively incompetent dummy chief minister”. He accused the TVK government of running the state through reels and memes, remaining silent on the Mekedatu issue, failing to support Tamil Nadu farmers arrested in Maharashtra while en route to a Delhi protest, and neglecting genuine agrarian concerns.
During the speech, sections of the crowd began chanting “Trisha, Trisha”, referring to actress Trisha Krishnan amid social media speculation linking her to the chief minister. Udhayanidhi paused, smirked, and made a double-entendre remark involving “water” in the context of the Cauvery shortfall and the actress’s name.
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu later clarified that he was referring to the river, but the video clips went viral, drawing widespread criticism for being vulgar and inappropriate. Mainstream reports described the Tamil phrasing as having a double meaning without quoting it directly.
Anticipatory bail plea hearing today
While being taken into custody, Udhayanidhi claimed the case was fabricated through “copy-paste” methods, alleging he was being prosecuted for remarks he never made. “I see this arrest action as a comedy,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Madras High Court agreed to hear in the afternoon an urgent anticipatory bail petition to be filed by Udhayanidhi. A High Court judge had also directed that no arrest action be taken against him until 12 noon. DMK legal teams had moved the court seeking protection from arrest. Despite this, the police proceeded with the action.
Follow LIVE updates below.
Live Updates
- 4 Aug 2026 3:34 PM IST
DMK advocate alleges political motive behind Udhayanidhi detention
DMK advocate and Rajya Sabha MP N.R. Elango has alleged that the TVK government attempted to prevent Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin from attending the upcoming Assembly session by detaining him earlier in the day.
Speaking after Udhayanidhi was released on bail, Elango said the DMK's public meeting had drawn widespread participation. "It was a huge gathering. People from all walks of life have supported that public meeting. The people at large had gathered there."
He claimed Udhayanidhi's speech focused on the government's performance and accused the state of acting with political intent. "The Leader of Opposition, Udhayanidhi, spoke about the inaction of the state government. The first Budget session of this government will begin tomorrow. With a view to stop him from coming to the assembly and raising very important questions, the state government today morning wanted to arrest him," he said, as quoted by ANI.
Referring to the court proceedings, Elango added that the government later decided against seeking his remand. "The state government, realising its mistake at 1415 hours, said that want to remand him but take him to Tanjore to examine him and then release him on bail. The court has asked Udhayanidhi Stalin to cooperate with the investigation."
- 4 Aug 2026 2:36 PM IST
TVK Minister alleges DMK workers assaulted motorcyclist, warns of action
TVK minister Raj Mohan has accused DMK workers of attacking a member of the public during protests over the detention of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, calling the incident unacceptable and demanding strict action.
In a post on X, Raj Mohan alleged that DMK cadres assaulted a motorcyclist who objected to the road blockade. "The sight of DMK members brutally assaulting a two-wheeler rider who urged them not to block the road and cause trouble for the people is shocking!" he wrote.
He also criticised the conduct of the party workers, saying, "Having repeatedly spoken ill of women, DMK members are now resorting to violence. Verbal abuse and physical violence are both utterly deplorable."
Claiming that the protests had disrupted normal life, Raj Mohan said the public, women and business owners were being affected by threats and intimidation. He warned that any disturbance to public order would invite legal action, adding, "The law will do its duty!"
- 4 Aug 2026 2:30 PM IST
Madras HC orders Udhayanidhi's release on station bail today
The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu Police to release Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on station bail after completing his questioning in connection with the case against him, reported Live Law.
The court ordered that Udhayanidhi be released on the same day and instructed the police not to keep him in custody once the inquiry was over.
The High Court also directed the DMK leader to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. The case stems from an FIR registered over his alleged derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Vijay and actor Trisha.
- 4 Aug 2026 2:27 PM IST
TN govt tells Madras HC Udhayanidhi will be released after questioning
The Tamil Nadu government informed the Madras High Court that Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin would be released after the police complete their questioning, reported Live Law.
During the hearing on Udhayanidhi's detention, the Advocate General assured the court that the police did not intend to keep the DMK leader in custody beyond the inquiry.
- 4 Aug 2026 2:14 PM IST
Jothimani slams Udhayanidhi over remarks on women
Congress MP Jothimani has criticised Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over the controversy surrounding his recent remarks, saying women should not be drawn into political confrontations.
Reacting to the incident, Jothimani said, "I saw the video where a woman was objectified in an objectionable manner. When a woman who has nothing to do with politics is named, he should have reprimanded the party workers. This is objectionable."
She also expressed disappointment that the remarks were attributed to a leader she described as a follower of Periyar. "I was shocked to see this coming from Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is a staunch follower of Periyar," she said.
Calling for greater sensitivity in political discourse, Jothimani added, "Don't drag women in politics in this manner. Women of this country are no longer willing to take such things." Her remarks come after Udhayanidhi was detained by police in connection with an FIR over his alleged derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Vijay and actor Trisha.
- 4 Aug 2026 2:09 PM IST
Police held talks with Udhayanidhi's family before arrest
Senior police officials held discussions with the family of DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, as well as senior party leader Ma. Subramanian, before taking him into custody on Tuesday, reported PTI quoting official sources.
Police officers met Udhayanidhi's wife, Kiruthika Stalin, and Subramanian at his Neelankarai residence to explain the grounds for the arrest. The report further stated that the family requested additional time before the police carried out the arrest procedure.
Outside the residence, a large number of DMK workers gathered in protest, raising slogans against the police action. Supporters questioned the reasons behind the arrest, leading to heated exchanges with officers. The situation briefly turned tense as some cadres pushed aside police barricades.
According to the report, police, who had reached Udhayanidhi's residence to execute the arrest, remained at the location for nearly an hour before taking him into custody.
- 4 Aug 2026 1:59 PM IST
Madras HC to hear Udhayanidhi arrest plea at 2.15 pm today
The Madras High Court is scheduled to hear the petition concerning the police detention of Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin at 2:15 pm today, reported ANI.
The hearing comes after an FIR was registered against him over his alleged derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Vijay and actor Trisha, leading to his arrest by the police.
- 4 Aug 2026 1:48 PM IST
DMK workers protest outside Madras HC over Udhayanidhi arrest
DMK workers staged a protest outside the Madras High Court against the police detention of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin.
The demonstration followed his arrest in connection with an FIR accusing him of insulting the modesty of a woman through his alleged derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Vijay and actor Trisha.
Protesters raised slogans condemning the police action and accused the government of targeting the opposition.
Police personnel were deployed in large numbers around the High Court premises as a precautionary measure to maintain order during the protest.
- 4 Aug 2026 1:40 PM IST
Amit Malviya says Udhayanidhi's arrest was long overdue
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya reacted sharply to the detention of DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, saying the police action was overdue in light of the allegations against him.
In a post on X, Malviya referred to the case registered against Udhayanidhi over his alleged remarks and said, “Udhayanidhi Stalin, the man who abused Sanatan Dharma, has been arrested for his vile and slanderous remark involving a woman. It was time he met this fate.”
Udhayanidhi was taken into custody after an FIR was filed over his alleged derogatory remarks concerning Chief Minister Vijay and actor Trisha. The arrest has triggered strong political reactions, with leaders from both the ruling party and the opposition trading accusations over the case.
- 4 Aug 2026 1:26 PM IST
Watch: DMK workers hurl slippers at police over Udhayanidhi detention
Tension escalated in Thanjavur after DMK workers staged a protest against the police detention of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin.
During the demonstration, some protesters hurled slippers at police personnel and burned an effigy in protest against the action taken against the senior DMK leader.
Udhayanidhi was taken into custody after an FIR was registered against him under nine sections, including charges related to allegedly insulting the modesty of a woman, over his purported derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Vijay and actor Trisha.
A short distance away, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) cadres also held a protest, prompting authorities to deploy additional police personnel to maintain order in the area.
