DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday broke his silence after being detained by the police over his alleged remarks on actor Trisha Krishnan. Calling the police action a "comedy", Stalin insisted that he had done nothing wrong and said he was prepared to face the legal process.
He was detained after the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) filed complaints at the Thanjavur East Police Station and with the National Commission for Women (NCW). Police have booked him under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
Udhayanidhi defends his remarks
Speaking to reporters while being escorted by the police, Stalin dismissed the action against him.
“I look at it as a comedy,” he said while responding to questions about his detention.
From inside the police vehicle, he further said, "I did not name anybody and I did not speak in bad taste. I am ready to face the consequences and I am not afraid of arrest. I don't think they have that much brains."
Reiterating his stand, he added, "I have not said anything wrong. I have not said anything wrong against anybody."
What sparked the controversy?
The row stems from a public meeting in Thanjavur where Udhayanidhi Stalin was speaking on the Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka. During the speech, a section of the audience repeatedly chanted "Trisha, Trisha."
After pausing briefly, Stalin made a remark referring to the Cauvery river project. TVK has alleged that the comment carried a double meaning directed at actor Trisha Krishnan and described it as offensive.
Following the speech, the party lodged complaints with the police and the NCW, alleging that the remarks were objectionable and insulting.
TVK files complaints with police and NCW
In its complaint, TVK alleged that Stalin and officials from the DMK's IT wing intentionally degraded women and caused mental distress to Trisha Krishnan as well as women in general. The party further alleged that the ruling party deliberately circulated a video of the incident, which was over two minutes long, on X.
TVK national spokesperson Pazha Selvakumar also submitted a formal complaint to the National Commission for Women in New Delhi, seeking action over the alleged remarks.
Political reactions intensify
The controversy has triggered sharp reactions from political leaders and supporters.
TVK MLA Rhevanth Charan criticised Stalin's remarks in strong terms, saying, "Absolutely disgusting. Passing such disgraceful comments against anyone is completely unacceptable. It exposes the mindset, political culture, and declining standards of the Arivalayam clan. Your announced protest collapsed even before it could begin.
Now, desperate for attention, you have resorted to cheap provocation and engagement farming. This is precisely why the people of Tamil Nadu rejected you and confined you to the position you are in today. Continue with this arrogance and indecency, and you will soon be erased from public relevance altogether. Even by Arivalayam's already abysmal standards, this is a new low."
The detention has further intensified the political confrontation between the DMK and the Vijay-led TVK, with the controversy continuing to dominate political discourse in Tamil Nadu.