LIVE | ‘Treated like a terrorist’: Udhayanidhi Stalin slams TVK govt after release

DMK cadres protest across TN, block roads; TVK too stage protests

Protests by DMK cadres are underway across Tamil Nadu. Opposing Udhayanidhi’s remarks, members of the TVK party are also staging protests in the district headquarters. Traffic congestion in many places, precautionary preventive arrests, and similar measures have created tension throughout the state. In many places, including Chennai, DMK members have shut down shops. Police are continuously arresting the DMK cadres who are staging road blockades.

Protesting DMK leaders detained

Protesting DMK leaders detained in Tamil Nadu.

DMK hits out at 'fascist' TVK government

"We strongly condemn the fascist TVK government for arresting the DMK Youth Wing Secretary and the Leader of the Opposition, Udhayanidhi Stalin. He spoke about the Cauvery issue without mentioning anyone by name. Who is it that is now twisting his remarks by claiming that he "used obscene language" or "made double entendre remarks"? The very people who routinely use vulgar expressions such as "It will come out well from the mouth", "Am I here to show glamour?", and "Not worth a damn", the Chief Minister, who frequently makes such indecent remarks, Minister Jagadeeswari, who threatened to "beat even members of my own party in the police station while they are in their underwear",  Nirmal Kumar, who made obscene remarks targeting Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi's daughter, and the TVK, which has become a haven for individuals arrested in sexual offence cases this entire group has suddenly reinvented itself as champions against obscenity," DMK said.

Tiruchi Siva raises Udhayanidhi arrest in Rajya Sabha

DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva raised the arrest of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin during proceedings in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, bringing the issue before Parliament. The matter was taken up shortly after the House convened, but the proceedings were adjourned soon afterwards.

T R B Rajaa alleges misuse of power in Udhayanidhi's arrest

DMK leader T R B Rajaa has accused the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of misusing its authority after Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested in connection with a case over his alleged remarks against Chief Minister Vijay.

In a post on X, Rajaa claimed the government was trying to prevent Udhayanidhi from attending the upcoming Assembly session. "Clearly the TVK govt is scared of seeing LoP @Udhaystalin in the Assembly and scared of answering his pointed questions. Hence they are trying every trick in the book to keep him away from the assembly session," he wrote.

Rajaa also questioned the legality of the arrest, alleging procedural violations. "No notice as per BNSS 35. No opportunity to present his case. Blatant disregard for Courts order to hear case post noon. Arrested around 11am. If this is not blatant misuse of power what is," he said.

Affirming the party's response, Rajaa added, "Our Leader will fight it lawfully."

T.R. Baalu defends Udhayanidhi amid police action

DMK MP T.R. Baalu has defended Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin after he was detained by police in connection with a case over his alleged defamatory remarks against Chief Minister Vijay.

Speaking to reporters, Baalu rejected allegations that Udhayanidhi had made objectionable comments during the DMK's public meeting on the Cauvery issue. "He has not said anything unparliamentary in the public meeting on Cauvery. He did not mention anything about the particular lady," he said.

Baalu also clarified the nature of the police action, stating that Udhayanidhi was being produced before a court. "He has not been detained, but is being taken to the court," he said.

Calling for judicial intervention, the senior DMK leader added, "The judiciary has to do something."

Udhayanidhi was taken into custody after an FIR was registered against him over remarks made during a protest in Thanjavur, with the controversy triggering sharp political reactions across Tamil Nadu.

TVK protests against Udhayanidhi over Trisha remarks

TVK workers staged a protest against Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over his alleged derogatory remarks directed at Chief Minister Vijay and actor Trisha. The demonstration comes amid an escalating political row that has triggered police action, public criticism and multiple complaints against the DMK leader.

Protesters gathered to condemn Udhayanidhi's remarks, accusing him of crossing the line of political decorum and using language they described as offensive to women. The agitation follows his arrest by police in connection with an FIR registered over the controversy.

Speaking during the protest, TVK leader Shashi Rekha said, "We are protesting against Udhayanidhi Stalin for his filthy language against women. Thanks to the CM, he is arrested by the police."

The remarks made by Udhayanidhi during a protest over the Cauvery water dispute have drawn criticism from political leaders across party lines, as well as public figures from the film industry. While the DMK has denied that his speech referred to actor Trisha, TVK leaders have maintained that the comments were unacceptable and have demanded strict legal action. The controversy has since intensified into a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu.

Chinmayi, Khushbu slam Udhayanidhi over Trisha remark row

Singer Chinmayi Sripaada and actor-politician Khushbu Sundar on Tuesday criticised DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over remarks made during a protest on the Cauvery water dispute that were widely interpreted as targeting actor Trisha. Their statements came shortly before Udhayanidhi was detained by police in connection with the controversy.

Responding to the allegations, Udhayanidhi told India Today, "You decide, you heard the speech. Did I say something wrong? Did I take anybody's name except the Chief Minister?"

Chinmayi urged political leaders to keep women out of political confrontations. "If men in politics could just focus on actual issues instead of dragging women who have nothing to do with their scheme of things – it would be stellar," she wrote on X.

She also questioned Udhayanidhi's response to the crowd, saying, "The least he could have done was tell his audience to pipe down or tell them to behave better, but he went ahead to say something far worse."

Khushbu Sundar also condemned the speech, calling it "crass, cheap and deeply derogatory; reflecting the very political culture he seems eager to inherit." She said, "The Leader of the Opposition owes Trisha an unconditional public apology for insulting her on a public platform. Let's see if he can own up to his actions and has the courage and decency to apologise."

MK Stalin reaches DMK HQ after Udhayanidhi's arrest

DMK president M.K. Stalin reached the party headquarters in Chennai shortly after Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was detained in connection with a case over his controversial remarks linked to actor Trisha.

The arrest has intensified the political row surrounding Udhayanidhi's speech. While M.K. Stalin's arrival at the party office drew attention amid the fast-moving developments, he has not issued any official statement on the detention so far.

DMK MP P Wilson calls Udhayanidhi Stalin's arrest 'atrocious'

DMK MP P. Wilson has criticised the detention of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, calling it an attempt by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government to suppress dissent and divert attention from public issues.

Speaking on the arrest, Wilson said, "This is one of the atrocious acts of the state government. Yesterday, the DMK party arranged for a statewide agitation because the ruling TVK government has given up and is not working for the rights of the farmers, for the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu."

He alleged that the FIR was filed because Udhayanidhi had criticised the Chief Minister and the government. "Now, the police have registered an FIR against Udhayanidhi Stalin... We have raised this issue in the parliament also to say that the democratic voices are being scuttled by the ruling TVK government," he said.

Rejecting the allegations against the DMK leader, Wilson added, "Anyone who has heard a speech will know that no such speech was made. Only to sidetrack the issue of farmers, the government itself has planted this news... There is no truth in such an allegation. It's false and fabricated news about Udhayanidhi Stalin."