'Arrogance leads to destruction': Udhayanidhi released, MK Stalin fires back at Vijay government

A fresh political confrontation erupted in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin was released from police custody in the case linked to his alleged remarks on actor Trisha. Soon after his release, DMK president M K Stalin accused the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of misusing state machinery and attempting to divert attention from public issues.

In a sharp message aimed at Chief Minister Vijay's government, M K Stalin said, "Arrogance leads to destruction; persistent arrogance only accelerates it."

Udhayanidhi was released after spending nearly four hours in police custody. Earlier in the day, the Madras High Court had directed the police to release him on station bail after completing questioning in the case.

DMK alleges arrest was politically motivated

Reacting to his son's arrest, MK Stalin alleged that the government was trying to shift the focus away from the Cauvery issue.

"The government has failed to respond to those charges and has instead resorted to arresting Udhayanidhi to divert attention from the Cauvery issue," he said.

He also questioned the timing of the police action, saying, "The timing of the arrest, a day before the state budget session, is an attempt to keep the Leader of the Opposition out of the assembly."

DMK leaders further alleged that the TVK government has repeatedly used arrests to target opposition leaders, students, farmers and protesters.

High Court grants relief

During the hearing, the Madras High Court directed the police to complete their questioning and release Udhayanidhi on station bail. The court also instructed him to cooperate with the investigation whenever required.

The state's Advocate General, Vijay Narayan, told the court that the police did not intend to seek judicial custody and only wanted to question the DMK leader before releasing him.

Before being taken away by the police, Udhayanidhi defended himself while speaking to reporters.

"Did I mention anyone's name except the Chief Minister's? (at the protest held in Thanjavur) Then why do you think this is happening? Let the court decide," he said.

Trisha remarks case sparks statewide protests

The case stems from remarks made by Udhayanidhi during a protest on the Cauvery issue in Thanjavur. TVK leaders alleged that his response to chants of actor Trisha's name carried an obscene, double-meaning reference and filed complaints with the police and the National Commission for Women.

Police booked Udhayanidhi under multiple legal provisions, including sections relating to obscene words, insulting the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity, provocation with intent to cause a riot, criminal intimidation, and provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

Following his arrest, DMK workers staged protests at several places across Tamil Nadu, further intensifying the political battle between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK.