Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Jul 22: Tamil rapper, lyricist and activist Arivu was briefly detained by Chennai police on Tuesday after leading a surprise protest outside the Tamil Nadu Secretariat demanding the abolition of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). He was released shortly afterwards and was invited to meet Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
Police said Arivu, whose real name is Arivarasu Kalainesan, along with a small group of protesters, gathered near the entrance of the Secretariat, a high-security zone, and raised slogans seeking the scrapping of NEET. The protesters also condemned the police action against students who marched from Jantar Mantar to Parliament in New Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leak issue.
According to a senior police officer, Arivu and three others were taken into custody for staging a demonstration in a prohibited area. They were released after a brief detention.
Following his release, Arivu received an invitation from the offices of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna. He was later escorted by police officers to the Chief Minister's chamber inside the Secretariat.
Opposition to NEET continues to remain a major political issue in Tamil Nadu, where several political parties and social organisations argue that the examination places students from rural areas, government schools and economically weaker sections at a disadvantage.
Arivu's detention also drew attention because of his long-standing association with Chennai's Dalit cultural movement and filmmaker Pa Ranjith, who had earlier criticised the police action against student protesters in New Delhi.
Senior police officials admitted that the protest was unexpected, describing it as a sudden demonstration by an individual known personally to the Chief Minister and several senior Cabinet ministers. His detention therefore attracted widespread attention.
The incident is considered politically sensitive for the ruling TVK government, as Dalit youth constitute a significant section of the party's support base, particularly among first-time and urban voters who backed the party in the recent Assembly elections.
Arivu is one of the most prominent voices in Tamil independent music, known for blending rap with gaana, folk traditions and anti-caste themes. A member of Chennai's Casteless Collective, he gained nationwide recognition through the 2021 independent hit Enjoy Enjaami, inspired by his grandmother's experiences as a plantation labourer and highlighting issues of land, labour and social justice. He has also written and performed several popular songs for Tamil films.
The detention triggered political reactions, with Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin condemning the police action. In a post on X, he alleged that the TVK government was attempting to silence voices opposing NEET and said those raising concerns over the examination should be heard rather than arrested. He reiterated his demand for the abolition of NEET, describing Arivu's protest as reflecting the sentiments of millions.