Udhayanidhi Stalin Held in Trisha Remarks Case, Released on Station Bail

Several dramatic developments unfolded in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. Cadres of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) expressed outrage after alleging that DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin had made inappropriate remarks about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's close associate, actress Trisha. Cases were registered against him, and on Tuesday morning, police took Udhayanidhi into custody in connection with the case. A scuffle broke out between the police and DMK cadres during the operation. Speaking at a Cauvery water protest meeting held in Thanjavur on Monday, Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Vijay. During his speech, some DMK workers began chanting "Trisha... Trisha." Responding with a smile, Udhayanidhi allegedly made inappropriate double-meaning remarks referring to actress Trisha and Chief Minister Vijay.

                                   Following the remarks, the women's wing of the TVK lodged a complaint at the Thanjavur East Police Station. Based on the complaint, a team of Thanjavur police reached Chennai and, with the assistance of local police, arrested Udhayanidhi Stalin from his residence in Neelangarai on Tuesday morning. He was later taken to Thanjavur. Before his arrest, Udhayanidhi had approached the Madras High Court seeking protection from arrest in the case. News of Udhayanidhi's arrest triggered protests by DMK workers across Tamil Nadu. In several places, party workers burned effigies of Chief Minister Vijay. Meanwhile, the DMK maintained that Udhayanidhi had not made any inappropriate remarks and argued that he had not mentioned actress Trisha's name anywhere in his speech.

                                Reacting to his arrest, Udhayanidhi described it as "a joke" and said he would fight the case legally. The DMK alleged that the entire episode was a conspiracy aimed at preventing him from participating in the Assembly session beginning on Wednesday. The BJP, along with several other political parties and celebrities, criticised Udhayanidhi's remarks. However, the Madras High Court directed the police to release Udhayanidhi immediately after questioning him. He is expected to be released on station bail. The Tamil Nadu government also clarified that it had no intention of keeping him in custody. This came as a major relief for Udhayanidhi Stalin. The court also directed him to cooperate with the police investigation.