They cut, copied, and pasted my speech; I spoke with a single meaning: Udhayanidhi
DMK leader says he was treated like a "terrorist", says he views "every mother and sister in Tamil Nadu as (his) own family", claims arrest is "diversionary tactic"
Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu), Aug 4 (PTI) "With 3,000 police personnel, they took us by road for 400 km from Chennai to Thanjavur like a terrorist. They did not treat us properly," former Deputy Chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said here on Tuesday, after being released by the police.
He was arrested at his residence in Chennai over his alleged "double-meaning" remark allegedly insulting actor Trisha and was escorted to Thanjavur, where a case has been registered.
Speaking to reporters at the airport here, Udhayanidhi dismissed the allegation as "false" and said he had spoken in "single meaning" to demand the release of Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu.
"They cut, copied, and pasted my speech to claim I spoke inappropriately. Some have accused me of using double meaning. I spoke with only a single meaning: the farmers need water. I have absolutely no intention of disrespecting women. I view every mother and sister in Tamil Nadu as my own family," he clarified, expressing disappointment that even some allied political leaders had condemned him without verifying the full context of his speech.
He characterised his arrest as a desperate "diversionary tactic" orchestrated by a government unable to address the genuine grievances of the state's farmers. He alleged that the state apparatus was being misused to intimidate the opposition ahead of the upcoming legislative assembly session.
Udhayanidhi's arrest stems from a remark made during a large-scale protest organised by his party in support of the agricultural community. According to the LoP, his speech focused entirely on the state government's alleged failure to secure Tamil Nadu's rightful share of Cauvery water from Karnataka.
"During our leader’s tenure, water from the Mettur Dam was consistently released on June 12 for the Kuruvai crop. This year, June and July have passed, and we are now in August, yet the water has not been released. The state government lacks the courage and capacity to demand our water from Karnataka or oppose the construction of the Mekedatu dam," Udhayanidhi said.
Detailing his ordeal, Udhayanidhi recounted that instead of a straightforward transit, he was abruptly stopped at the Chengalpattu police station for arbitrary questioning before being moved further. He criticised the deployment of massive police security for his transfer, equating the state's handling of an opposition leader to that of a high-risk militant.
Dismissing the current administration as a "circus camp" rather than a functional government, the DMK leader accused the Chief Minister and the cabinet of engaging in photo-ops, social media reels, and "empty rhetoric" to deflect from administrative failures.
"Whenever a real issue arises, they create a new controversy to divert public attention. They knew the opposition would raise the farmers' issue in the assembly tomorrow, so they attempted to paralyse us," he alleged.
Remaining defiant, Udhayanidhi declared that he would not be cowed down by false cases or intimidation.
Invoking his political lineage, he stated, "I am the grandson of Kalaignar and the son of M K Stalin. I am a cadre of the DMK. We do not fear these tactics. I am ready to face this legally. I will speak for the farmers a hundred more times".
The LoP also expressed gratitude to the DMK cadres and alliance leaders who staged protests against his arrest, demanding the immediate release of those who were detained for demonstrating.
"This Chief Minister does not know the history of the DMK or Tamil Nadu. The people are watching, and they will deliver their response at the appropriate time," he warned. PTI