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 12:15 PM IST
DMK's Duraimurugan calls Udhayanidhi's arrest a 'Democratic massacre'
DMK General Secretary Duraimurugan has condemned the detention of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, accusing the state government of using the arrest to keep him away from the upcoming Assembly session.
In a statement, Duraimurugan alleged that the case against Udhayanidhi was politically driven and claimed the authorities had acted in defiance of the High Court's directions. Describing the police action, he called it the "height of anarchy" and a "democratic massacre."
He further accused the Vijay-led government of diverting attention from pressing public issues, including the Cauvery dispute, farmers' welfare and law and order, by targeting the opposition. Duraimurugan also asserted that the DMK would continue its political fight both inside and outside the Assembly despite the action against its senior leader.
- 4 Aug 2026 12:13 PM IST
Udhayanidhi Stalin booked under BNS, IT Act, TN Harassment Law
Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin has been booked under Sections 61, 79, 192, 196, 296(b), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. He was arrested by the Thanjavur East Police in connection with the case and is being taken to Thanjavur for further legal proceedings, repprted ANI.
- 4 Aug 2026 12:03 PM IST
Kanimozhi calls Udhayanidhi Stalin's arrest 'blatant cowardice'
DMK MP Kanimozhi has criticised the arrest of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, accusing the government of using police action to settle political scores ahead of the Assembly session.
In a post on X, Kanimozhi said, "If the government wants to personally take revenge on the Opposition Leader, Thiru. Udhaystalin, let it file a case. Let the court deliver its verdict.
"She further alleged that the government's actions reflected its inability to politically challenge the DMK. "But, lacking the courage to confront the DMK as an opposition party, for the government to resort to such oppressive tactics is against the law," she said.
Kanimozhi also claimed the timing of the arrest was intended to keep Udhayanidhi away from the Assembly. "Arresting the Opposition Leader in this way, solely to prevent him from participating in the Assembly session starting tomorrow, is blatant cowardice," she said.
- 4 Aug 2026 12:01 PM IST
DMK's RS Bharathi slams Udhayanidhi Stalin's arrest
Senior DMK leader R.S. Bharathi condemned the detention of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, alleging that the police action was politically motivated and in violation of a court direction.
Reacting to the arrest, Bharathi said, "He has been arrested for doing his duty. Despite the court telling not to arrest after 12 noon, he has been arrested. This is contempt of court."
He also accused the state government of misusing its authority, saying, "There is no law and order in Tamil Nadu. They will have pay for this. The people will not tolerate this. We will counter this."
Rejecting allegations surrounding the controversy, Bharathi maintained that Udhayanidhi had not referred to actor Trisha in his speech. "He did not mention the name of Trisha," he said.
- 4 Aug 2026 11:58 AM IST
Anbumani condemns Udhayanidhi's remarks,arrest
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has criticised both the remarks made by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin and his subsequent arrest, saying the two developments "could and should have been avoided."
In a statement, Anbumani said, "The remarks made by Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin during the Thanjavur protest were, in no way, acceptable and lacked dignity." He added that someone who has served as Deputy Chief Minister and now leads the opposition "should learn to speak in a respectful and dignified manner."
At the same time, he questioned the government's decision to arrest Udhayanidhi so quickly. "There was no need to arrest Udhayanidhi Stalin with such haste," he said, arguing that the urgency shown by the police appeared to be "driven purely by political considerations."
Calling for restraint, Anbumani urged both sides to address public issues instead of political confrontation. "At least from now on, both the ruling party and the opposition should work towards constructive politics," he said, while also asking the government to ensure the arrest does not lead to a breakdown of law and order.
- 4 Aug 2026 11:50 AM IST
Will face this legally: DMK's KN Nehru
Former Tamil Nadu minister and Deputy Leader of the Opposition KN Nehru condemned Udhayanidhi's arrest as “political revenge”. He questioned, “A woman minister from their own party (TVK) openly issued a murder threat to a party functionary; why has no action been taken against her? We will face this legally.” - 4 Aug 2026 11:50 AM IST
DMK's Thangam Thennarasu slams Udhayanidhi Stalin's arrest
Senior DMK leader and former minister Thangam Thennarasu has criticised the arrest of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, calling it "a direct attack on democratic rights" and accusing the ruling government of pursuing a political vendetta.
In a statement posted on X, Thennarasu said the arrest reflected "peak repression" and questioned its impact on democratic values. He argued that action against those who criticise the government "reveals its fear" rather than its strength.
He further alleged that using criminal cases and arrests to silence political opponents runs against democratic traditions and political decency. Describing the action as more than an arrest of an individual, Thennarasu said, "This is not an action against a leader; it is political vendetta against the rights voice of Tamil Nadu."
- 4 Aug 2026 11:49 AM IST
Udhayanidhi alleges TVK using diversion tactics
Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin has accused the TVK government of attempting to divert public attention and spreading misinformation over the controversy surrounding his recent speech.
Speaking to Puthiyathalaimurai, Udhayanidhi said, "The TVK government is only using diversion tactics. Whenever an issue arises, the 'dummy CM' puts out reels. Not just the CM, but every party member does the same. They are living in the world of reels."
Rejecting allegations over his remarks, he claimed that his statements had been distorted for political purposes. "They have spread fake news by using cut, copy and paste to claim that I said something I never said," he said.
Udhayanidhi also asserted that he would contest the case through legal means, adding, "I am not someone who will be intimidated by this. I will face it legally."
- 4 Aug 2026 11:46 AM IST
Vaiko condemns Udhayanidhi over Trisha remark row
MDMK General Secretary Vaiko has strongly criticised Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over his remarks made during a DMK protest in Thanjavur on the Cauvery water dispute. The controversy erupted after sections of the crowd chanted "Trisha, Trisha," prompting Udhayanidhi to allegedly respond with a remark that drew sharp political criticism.
In a statement, Vaiko said, "The speech delivered by Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin at the DMK's protest in Thanjavur, in which he crossed the limits of political decorum and criticised Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, deserves strong condemnation."
Quoting the Thirukkural, Vaiko added, "As the Opposition Leader, Udhayanidhi Stalin should adhere to the wisdom of the Thirukkural: 'Whatever the circumstance, guard your tongue.' Instead, using cheap and derogatory language against the Chief Minister is unbecoming of the high office he holds."
While MDMK MP Durai Vaiko also condemned the remarks, DMK MP TR Baalu dismissed the allegations, saying, "He has not mentioned any word about the particular woman. It is all false." Complaints were later filed by TVK's women's wing, and police subsequently detained Udhayanidhi in connection with the case.
- 4 Aug 2026 11:42 AM IST
Elangovan defends Udhayanidhi amid speech controversy
DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan defended Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin amid the controversy surrounding his recent speech, rejecting allegations that it contained derogatory remarks against actor Trisha or TVK chief Vijay.
"I listened to his entire speech. Nothing was said as people are saying. He only listed out the CM's failures. Nothing was insulting in his speech," Elangovan said.
He also denied claims that Udhayanidhi had referred to Trisha during the address. "He did not even mention the name of the actress (Trisha). He was only attacking the government," he said.
Taking aim at the state administration, Elangovan alleged that it was using the issue to target the DMK. "The problem with this govt is that they don't care about the people of Tamil Nadu. They are being used by someone to attack the DMK. Their party started only to attack us," he said.
