Udhayanidhi Stalin's 1st reaction after detention over vulgar 'Trisha' remark

Dramatic scenes played out on Tuesday after Tamil Nadu cops turned up at the doorstep of Udhayanidhi Stalin and arrested him at his Chennai residence. Udhayanidhi sparked a row with a vulgar remark that was widely interpreted as an allusion to actor Trisha.

In Short

• Udhayanidhi Stalin calls arrest 'vengeful' after vulgar remark row
• Denies naming anyone except Chief Minister Vijay in his speech
• Protests and clashes erupt across Tamil Nadu after his arrest

Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin called his arrest "vengeful" after he sparked controversy with a vulgar remark that was widely interpreted as an allusion to actor Trisha, a close friend of Chief Minister Vijay. Dramatic scenes played out on Tuesday after cops detained Udhayanidhi from his Chennai residence and took him in a police van for questioning.

In his first remarks after his arrest, Udhayanidhi told India Today that he didn't take anyone's name except the Chief Minister. "Did I say anything wrong? Did I take anyone's name other than the CM's? I don't want to comment beyond that," he said.

Udhayanidhi, the son of former Chief Minister and DMK supremo MK Stalin, has already approached the Madras High Court for anticipatory bail.

CHAOS OUTSIDE STALIN JR'S HOUSE

Before Udhayanidhi was arrested at around 11 am, protracted negotiations took place between the police and DMK leaders. A video of an interaction between Udhayanidhi's wife and a police officer has surfaced.

In the video, the police officer is heard accusing Udhayanidhi of delaying tactics. "You have been delaying for so long. Allow us to do our job," the cop says. In response, Udhayanidhi's wife says, "He is getting ready; he is in the toilet."

Following his arrest, protests broke out across Tamil Nadu. In some areas, clashes between DMK workers and the police were also reported.

Udhayanidhi made the alleged objectionable remark during a protest held in Thanjavur against the Vijay government's handling of the Cauvery water dispute.

WHAT DID UDHAYANIDHI SAY ON TRISHA?

Vijay has been facing flak from the DMK after Karnataka failed to release the required amount of Cauvery water despite directions from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). The Tamil Nadu government has now moved the Supreme Court.

"Water should have come. But today, not even a single drop of water has come," Udhayanidhi said, referring to the Cauvery issue.

Soon, sections of the audience started chanting Trisha's name. Udhayanidhi paused his speech, smirked and went on to make the ostensibly vulgar remark that was widely viewed in the context of Vijay's friendship with Trisha.

The crowd responded with loud applause and laughter. However, with the smirk still intact, he clarified, "I mean I was referring to Cauvery only."

It was enough to spark a political furore. As the clip of his speech went viral, Udhayanidhi came under sharp attack from Vijay's TVK and the BJP.

Following a complaint by a TVK leader, a case was registered against Udhayanidhi at the Thanjavur East police station.

BNS sections 196 (promoting enmity), 79 (insulting modesty of a woman), 296(b) (obscenity), and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Amendment Act were among the provisions invoked.

TVK MLA Rhevanth Charan called it a new low for Udhayanidhi. "It exposes the mindset, political culture, and declining standards of the clan," the TVK MLA said. Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna termed the speech "vulgar and disgraceful".

Seeking Udhayanidhi's arrest, Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy called the remark "disgusting, obscene, vulgar, and shameful". Meanwhile, the DMK maintained that the comments were only directed at the "government's failures".

- Ends