English
English
English
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Police on Tuesday arrested DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin from his residence in this state capital in connection with a controversial speech delivered during a farmers' protest over the Cauvery river water dispute.
According to police sources, the action followed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) over remarks allegedly made by Udhayanidhi Stalin during a public rally in Thanjavur. The speech, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, attracted criticism from political leaders and several public groups, resulting in formal complaints and a police investigation.
The rally was organised by the DMK to protest against the ruling government's handling of the Cauvery water crisis and the growing distress faced by farmers in the Cauvery Delta region. Protesters alleged that delayed release of water from the Mettur Dam had severely affected Kuruvai paddy cultivation. They also claimed that river channels remained dry during the Aadi Perukku festival, highlighting the worsening irrigation situation.
Farmers participating in the demonstration demanded that the Tamil Nadu government declare drought in the affected districts and announce compensation of Rs 25,000 per acre for crop losses. Protesters also raised concerns regarding Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu reservoir project and alleged shortfalls in water allocation under the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) framework.
During his address, Udhayanidhi Stalin sharply criticised Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and accused the TVK government of administrative failure in resolving the state's water crisis. He alleged that the government was focusing more on publicity campaigns than addressing the concerns of farmers. He also questioned the government's response to reports that Tamil Nadu farmers travelling to Delhi to protest against the Mekedatu project had been detained in Maharashtra.
The controversy escalated after sections of the gathering reportedly chanted the name of actress Trisha Krishnan. Udhayanidhi allegedly responded with an indirect remark linking the Cauvery water shortage with the slogans. Several media organisations described the comment as inappropriate and offensive, while many refrained from reproducing the exact words because of their nature. Video clips of the incident spread rapidly on social media, triggering widespread criticism and demands for legal action.
Following multiple complaints, Tamil Nadu Police registered a criminal case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable laws governing public order, public decency and statements alleged to promote disharmony. After completing preliminary legal formalities, investigating officers arrested the DMK leader from his residence as part of the ongoing investigation.
