Stalin was detained a day after he addressed a public meeting in Thanjavur on the Cauvery water issue, where a section of the crowd raised slogans mentioning actor Trisha.
During the rally, Stalin briefly paused after the chants and allegedly remarked, “Whether the water reaches anywhere else or not, it should reach there,” before clarifying that he was referring to the Cauvery. Opposition parties alleged that the comment was an indirect reference to actor Trisha, an allegation the DMK has denied.
The remarks sparked sharp political reactions, with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) accusing Stalin of making an objectionable comment.
TVK, MDMK react
TVK MLA Rhevanth Charan termed the remark “disgusting” and alleged that it reflected the DMK’s political culture.
“Absolutely disgusting. Passing such disgraceful comments against anyone is completely unacceptable… Even by Arivalayam’s already abysmal standards, this is a new low,” Charan said.
Following the controversy, an FIR was registered against Stalin over the alleged defamatory remarks. Chennai Police detained him from his Chennai residence on Tuesday morning.
MDMK Principal Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Durai Vaiko also criticised the alleged remark, saying the focus of the event should have remained on the Cauvery issue and the concerns of Tamil Nadu’s farmers.
“The issue was about Cauvery and the sufferings of the Tamil Nadu farmers. It is highly condemnable that the Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin has uttered such derogatory comments. It goes against women. I condemn it. It was not a stage to settle personal scores. It is unfortunate,” Vaiko told ANI.
(With inputs from agencies)
