DMK MLA arrested over remarks on Tamil Nadu CM

Chennai: Tiruchendur MLA and former fisheries minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan of the DMK was arrested at Authoor in Thoothukudi district on Friday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay during a public meeting held on June 20.

The arrest came shortly after the Madras High Court dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by Radhakrishnan in a case registered by the Authoor police over his alleged objectionable remarks.

In a speech on June 20, Radhakrishnan allegedly made derogatory remarks that included comments linked to a birthday photograph shared by actor Trisha featuring Vijay.


The police registered a first information report on June 23 under sections 352 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to intentional insult and promoting enmity.

Radhakrishnan reportedly failed to appear before investigators despite being served two summons. He then approached the high court seeking anticipatory bail, which was rejected on Friday and paved the way for his arrest. The arrest marks the first major political action taken against an opposition leader since the ruling TVK came to power. The DMK termed the arrest an "overreach" by the government and alleged that it was a ploy to divert attention from the "real issues" confronting the state such as increasing crimes against women and the alleged "horse trading" that the TVK is indulging in to lure legislators from rival parties. The TVK firmly denied the allegations.

DMK president and former chief minister MK Stalin lashed out at the government for the arrest, accusing it of acting with undue haste while the MLA's legal options were still being pursued.

"The CM is running a police state in a cinematic, action-movie style," Stalin said on X. "Why did this administration-which has taken no action so far on the complaint filed by a gang-rape survivor against the TVK MLA from Srivaikuntam-not show similar urgency in that case? Is this the kind of change this government offers-failing to prevent murders, robberies, and sexual crimes against women across Tamil Nadu, while instead focusing on poaching MLAs from other parties?"