The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed Tamil Nadu Police to release DMK leader and former deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin after questioning him in connection with an alleged double-meaning remark made during a political protest in Thanjavur. The court’s intervention came after the Tamil Nadu government assured that Stalin would not be kept in custody following the inquiry.
The development followed Stalin’s detention over comments made during a protest concerning the Cauvery water-sharing dispute and Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project. The DMK leader had led the demonstration in Thanjavur, where he criticised the state government’s handling of the Cauvery issue and accused Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of failing to adequately address the concerns of farmers.
During his speech, Stalin reportedly questioned the chief minister’s approach to the Cauvery dispute and alleged that the interests of farmers were not receiving sufficient attention. The speech later took an unexpected turn when a section of DMK supporters began chanting the name of Tamil actress Trisha.
The slogan appeared to suggest that Vijay’s attention was focused elsewhere rather than on the Cauvery water issue. Responding to the crowd, Stalin made a comment that was interpreted by some as having a double meaning. He subsequently clarified that he was referring specifically to the Cauvery dispute.
The remark triggered a political controversy, eventually leading to police action against the DMK leader. Stalin was detained and questioned as part of the inquiry into the speech. The matter reached the Madras High Court when Stalin’s anticipatory bail plea came up for hearing. During the proceedings, Tamil Nadu Advocate General Vijay Narayan informed the court that the former deputy chief minister would be released on station bail after questioning and would not remain in police custody.
Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan took note of the government’s assurance and directed the police to ensure that Stalin’s detention was not prolonged. The court ordered that he be released before the end of the day after completion of the questioning process. The episode has added another layer to the political tensions surrounding the Cauvery water dispute in Tamil Nadu. The issue remains politically sensitive, with parties in the state frequently accusing one another of failing to protect the interests of farmers and secure the state’s share of Cauvery water.
