Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition and DMK youth wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested on Tuesday in connection with alleged misogynist remarks made during a public meeting in Thanjavur. He was later released on station bail after being questioned by police for about 90 minutes, in accordance with directions issued by the Madras High Court.
The arrest followed a complaint filed by a functionary of the ruling TVK, accusing Udhayanidhi of making derogatory remarks about women during his speech. The incident triggered political protests across Tamil Nadu, with DMK workers condemning the arrest and TVK supporters demanding strict action against the senior leader.
Madras High Court Directs Police to Release Udhayanidhi on Station Bail
According to police, Udhayanidhi was taken from his residence in Neelangarai, Chennai, to the Sengipatti Police Station near Thanjavur, where he was questioned before being granted station bail.
An FIR was registered based on a complaint lodged by TVK women’s wing office bearer Bairavi Sankar, who alleged that the DMK leader made objectionable and offensive remarks referring to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and a film actor during a public meeting in Thanjavur.
The police invoked multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to insulting the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity, uttering obscene words in public, criminal intimidation and intentional insult. Authorities also booked offences under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, alleging that the speech was circulated through the DMK IT wing’s social media platforms.
Rejecting the allegations, Udhayanidhi Stalin said his speech had been taken out of context for political reasons. He maintained that he had no intention of insulting women and denied making any double entendre remarks. He accused the ruling TVK government of using the case to divert attention from farmers’ issues he had recently highlighted.
The arrest sparked tense scenes both in Chennai and Thanjavur. Hundreds of DMK supporters gathered outside Udhayanidhi’s residence and later near the Sengipatti Police Station, raising slogans against the TVK government. Police deployed additional personnel to prevent clashes and used mild force to clear protesters blocking the convoy.
During the hearing of Udhayanidhi’s anticipatory bail petition, the Madras High Court was informed by the Advocate General that police did not intend to seek judicial custody. Accepting the assurance, the court directed the police to release him on station bail after questioning and instructed him to cooperate with the ongoing investigation whenever summoned.
The case has intensified the political confrontation between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK ahead of the upcoming political calendar in Tamil Nadu, with both parties accusing each other of using the controversy for political mileage.
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