Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Aug 4: Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was detained by the Tamil Nadu Police on Tuesday shortly after a case was registered against him over a controversial remark made during a speech on the Cauvery water dispute. The comment has been widely interpreted as an indirect reference to actor Trisha and has drawn sharp criticism across the political spectrum.

The controversy arose during Udhayanidhi's speech criticising Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over the state government's handling of the Cauvery water issue. During the address, someone in the audience shouted "Trisha, Trisha", prompting Udhayanidhi to respond with a remark that many interpreted as a sexual innuendo.

Following the registration of the case, police personnel arrived at Udhayanidhi's residence in Chennai and detained him. He has since approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. His plea is scheduled to be heard later in the day.

Speaking while being taken away in a police vehicle, Udhayanidhi defended his remarks and termed the police action an act of political vendetta.

"I have not said anything wrong. Did I name anyone other than Vijay? Let the court decide," he said.

The remarks have been condemned by several political parties, which described them as vulgar and derogatory towards women.

The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) launched a strong attack on the DMK leader. TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna referred to Udhayanidhi as "Obscene Nidhi", alleging that he had lowered the standards of political discourse and insulted women through double-meaning remarks.

"'Obscene' Nidhi is destroying the movement that great scholar Anna built with his Tamil erudition, today with his obscene language and double-meaning speeches," Arjuna said in a social media post.

He further alleged that the remarks reflected a "perverted thinking about women" and claimed that no parent in Tamil Nadu would accept such language in public life. He also asserted that women voters would reject Udhayanidhi over the issue.

TVK spokesperson Felix Gerald also criticised the Opposition leader, questioning whether he would repeat the same remarks before his own children.

The BJP also condemned the comments. Tamil Nadu BJP chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy described the remarks as "disgusting, obscene, vulgar and shameful" and demanded Udhayanidhi's arrest.

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai also criticised the speech, while BJP state vice-president Khushbu Sundar said Udhayanidhi owed actor Trisha an unconditional public apology.

The DMK, however, defended its leader. Former minister T Mano Thangaraj dismissed the controversy as a politically motivated attempt to divert attention from the Cauvery issue and the concerns of farmers in the Cauvery delta.

Describing the criticism as "manufactured hatred", Thangaraj urged political opponents to focus on policy debates rather than what he termed selective misinformation, alleging that the controversy was intended to prevent Udhayanidhi from raising uncomfortable questions against the government in the Assembly.