Tamil Nadu: DMK workers detained during protests against Udhayanidhi Stalin's arrest
Vellore: Several DMK functionaries and party workers were detained by police in Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, and Tiruvannamalai districts on Tuesday as they staged protests condemning the arrest of Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin. The demonstrations, which included road blockades and gatherings at key junctions, disrupted traffic in multiple towns.
In Vellore, a large number of party workers led by former MLA A.P. Nandakumar gathered near the Collector's Office on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) and blocked the road, raising slogans against the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. Police detained the protesters and cleared the area to restore vehicular movement.
In Ranipet, former Textiles and Handlooms Minister and DMK district secretary R. Gandhi led a protest near Muthukadai junction. The demonstrators were taken into custody and kept at a marriage hall in the town. Gandhi condemned the arrest, stating, “Our leader's arrest is unjust and against democratic principles. It is condemnable.”
Similar protests were reported in Tiruvannamalai and Tirupattur districts, with towns such as Arani, Cheyyar, Vandavasi, Chengam, Tiruvannamalai, Jolarpet, Ambur, and Vaniyambadi witnessing large gatherings of DMK supporters. Police detained the protesters and accommodated them in marriage halls and auditoriums.
Meanwhile, the districts also saw peaceful protests by TVK cadres and functionaries against remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin during his speech in Thanjavur. The TVK supporters expressed their disapproval of the opposition leader's comments, underscoring the political tensions in the region.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, was arrested earlier in connection with his speech. The DMK has termed the arrest politically motivated, while the ruling TVK maintains that legal procedures were followed. The protests reflect the charged political atmosphere in the state.
Police personnel were deployed in large numbers to handle the situation and prevent any untoward incidents. Authorities confirmed that all detained protesters were released later in the day after the demonstrations subsided.
