Udhayanidhi Stalin walks free after arrest, released on station bail as Trisha remark row escalates

His release came after the Tamil Nadu government informed the Madras High Court that it had no intention of remanding him and would release him on station bail after questioning.

Court records government's assurance

When Udhayanidhi's anticipatory bail plea came up before Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, Advocate General Vijay Narayan told the court that the government would not seek his judicial remand.

Recording the submission, the court directed that the DMK leader be released on station bail after police completed their inquiry.

The court also instructed Udhayanidhi to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the police whenever required.

Following questioning, Udhayanidhi was released later in the day.

DMK workers protest outside High Court

Soon after his detention, DMK cadres staged protests outside the Madras High Court, demanding his release.

A brief scuffle broke out when police moved to disperse the protesters and detain them. Several party workers were later taken into custody as the demonstration intensified.

Why was Udhayanidhi arrested?

The case stems from remarks made by Udhayanidhi during a DMK protest in Thanjavur over the Cauvery water-sharing issue.

According to the complaint, sections of the crowd repeatedly chanted actor Trisha's name during his speech. Udhayanidhi allegedly responded, "Whether the water reaches anywhere else or not, it should reach there," before clarifying that he was referring to the Cauvery.

The comment was interpreted by the ruling TVK and several political leaders as an indirect and objectionable reference to the actor.

(L-R) Udhayanidhi Stalin, Trisha Krishnan and Vijay. Photo: Udhayanidhi Stalin Facebook/Trisha Instagram/TVK website

The DMK has denied the allegation, maintaining that no such reference was intended.

A complaint filed by TVK's Thanjavur Central District Women's Wing Organiser, S. Bairavi, accused Udhayanidhi of making an obscene, double-meaning remark that outraged the modesty of women and caused mental distress to actor Trisha and women in general.

The complaint also alleged that a 2-minute, 39-second video of the speech was deliberately circulated on social media platform X to provoke public unrest.

Political row deepens

The controversy has snowballed into a political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu.

TVK leaders have filed complaints with both the police and the National Commission for Women (NCW), demanding action against Udhayanidhi and seeking an unconditional public apology.

Several TVK ministers and MLAs condemned the remarks on social media, calling them "absolutely disgusting" and criticising the DMK's political culture.

The BJP also targeted the DMK leader, with Tamil Nadu BJP chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy describing the alleged remarks as "disgusting, obscene, vulgar and shameful" and demanding his arrest.

The DMK, however, has rejected the allegations, insisting that Udhayanidhi's comments were taken out of context and were solely related to the Cauvery issue.