Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK workers arrested after FIR over CM Vijay remarks and 'Trisha' slogan controversy

DMK MLA and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested by Chennai Police on Tuesday along with several DMK workers after an FIR was registered against him over his alleged derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Police had tightened security outside Udhayanidhi Stalin's residence in Chennai following the registration of the FIR. Several DMK cadres gathered outside the residence and allegedly attempted to breach police barricades before being arrested. Udhayanidhi was also arrested during the police action.

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The development comes a day after Udhayanidhi sparked a political controversy during a DMK-organised protest in Thanjavur, where he criticised Chief Minister Vijay. During his speech, DMK supporters repeatedly chanted actor Trisha's name, triggering widespread backlash and intensifying the political row.

FIR filed against Udhayanidhi Stalin

Additional Commissioner of Police Narendran Nair confirmed that an FIR has been registered against Udhayanidhi Stalin over his alleged derogatory remarks directed at Chief Minister Vijay.

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The case follows Monday's DMK-organised protest over the Cauvery water dispute, where Udhayanidhi sharply criticised the TVK-led government.

What did Udhayanidhi Stalin say?

Addressing party workers in Thanjavur on Monday, Udhayanidhi accused Chief Minister Vijay of focusing more on attacking the DMK than governing the state.

"The Chief Minister's only concern is the DMK. He keeps levelling fake charges against our party leaders," he said.

During his speech, DMK cadres repeatedly shouted "Trisha, Trisha", drawing attention from those present. Several senior DMK leaders seated on the stage were also seen laughing as the slogans were raised.

Attack over Mekedatu issue and farmers' protests

Udhayanidhi also criticised the Tamil Nadu government over the detention of Tamil Nadu farmers in Maharashtra during protests related to the Mekedatu project.

"When our Tamil Nadu farmers travelled to Delhi to protest over the Mekedatu issue, they were arrested in Maharashtra. Our party leader has issued a statement condemning this. But the Chief Minister has not uttered a word because Maharashtra is ruled by the BJP. The Chief Minister simply does not have the courage to speak against them," he said.

He further accused Vijay of avoiding criticism of the BJP.

"Even after completing three months in office, the Chief Minister has not even uttered the word 'BJP' once. That shows just how 'brave' he is."

Criticism over governance and inspections

Continuing his attack, Udhayanidhi alleged that the government had failed to protect farmers' interests.

"Instead of protecting the welfare and rights of farmers, the Chief Minister is more concerned about protecting his own government."

Questioning Vijay's handling of the Cauvery issue, he said: "When farmers across Tamil Nadu united against this TVK government, the Chief Minister staged a drama by announcing that he would travel to Karnataka. Our party leader and many others urged him not to go, but he ignored all those requests. He fell silent only after the Karnataka Chief Minister made his position clear."

He also asked: "Leave aside meeting the Karnataka Chief Minister, did Vijay first meet the farmers of Tamil Nadu?"

'Don't use someone else's ghee' remark

Udhayanidhi also criticised what he described as the government's dependence on projects launched by the previous DMK administration.

"From the Chief Minister to ministers, MLAs, and even their relatives, everyone seems obsessed with shooting reels and releasing videos in the name of inspections."

He added: "Instead of using inspections to divert the people's attention, the Chief Minister should stop inspecting schemes launched by the DMK and instead introduce his own schemes and inspect those."

Ending his speech with a pointed remark aimed at Vijay, Udhayanidhi said: "To put it in language that Vijay will understand, don't use someone else's ghee to make sweets for your own house."


Inputs from agencies