Chennai, August 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was taken into police custody on Tuesday in connection with a case registered over controversial remarks he made during a DMK protest meeting on the Cauvery water-sharing dispute and the proposed Mekedatu dam project.
Police detained Udhayanidhi from his residence in Neelankarai, Chennai, at around 11 a.m. after waiting outside the premises while discussions reportedly took place between police officials and the DMK’s legal team. He was later taken to Thanjavur, where he is expected to be questioned as part of the investigation.
Speaking to reporters while being escorted by police, Udhayanidhi alleged that he was being arrested for “things I never said” and claimed the action was intended to divert public attention from pressing public issues. He also criticised the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, remarking that “everyone in the government – from the Chief Minister to the ministers – is living in reels.” Calling the police action a “comedy,” he said he would challenge the case through legal means.
The controversy stems from a DMK protest held in Thanjavur on August 3 over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute. During his address, Udhayanidhi accused the Tamil Nadu government of failing to secure the State’s rightful share of Cauvery water from Karnataka.
He said that although 45 TMC of water was expected, not a single drop had reached Tamil Nadu and criticised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for remaining silent on the issue while allegedly focusing on filing cases against DMK leaders.
During the speech, sections of the audience began chanting the name of a well-known Tamil actor widely perceived to be a close associate of the Chief Minister. Udhayanidhi then made a remark that has been widely interpreted as carrying a sexually suggestive double meaning, triggering laughter and applause from the gathering.
The remarks sparked political controversy, with the ruling TVK filing a complaint before the National Commission for Women seeking action against the Opposition leader. A police complaint was also registered, leading to Tuesday’s detention.
According to the FIR registered at the Thanjavur East Police Station, investigators have invoked multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges relating to criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between groups, provoking riots, insulting the modesty of a woman, making obscene utterances in a public place, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult likely to provoke a breach of peace. The case also includes provisions under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which deals with the electronic publication or transmission of obscene material.
The investigation into the case is continuing.
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