Tamil Nadu Opposition Leaders Denounce Arrest of Cadre Protesting Minister's Conduct

Chennai: DMK president M.K. Stalin and deputy general secretary Kanimozhi on Monday strongly condemned the denial of permission and subsequent arrest of DMK student wing cadres who attempted to protest against Human Resources Management Minister D. Sarathkumar.

The protest was triggered by a video that appears to show the Minister performing actions resembling the preparation for snorting drugs during an Indian Premier League match at the M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified, and no official statement has been issued by the Minister or his office regarding the incident.

In a statement on social media platform X, Mr. Stalin accused Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of trying to protect a “fake image” by intimidating opposition parties. He said, “The arrest of DMK members protesting against a Minister, the registration of a case against former Minister Sivasankar for criticising the TVK administration, and the recent raid at former Minister E.V. Velu’s residence all point to one thing: the Chief Minister is desperately trying to safeguard a fake image by intimidating the opposition and evading the media. This authoritarian approach will not last long. The people will teach them a fitting lesson.”

Ms. Kanimozhi questioned the democratic credentials of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. “The TVK government, which calls itself a democratic force, is denying permission even for the opposition to hold peaceful protests. A proper investigation must be conducted against the accused Minister, and action should be taken,” she said.

The arrests come amid heightened political tensions in Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties alleging curbs on dissent. The DMK has demanded a thorough probe into the video and the circumstances surrounding the protest. No response has been received from the state government or the Minister at the time of reporting.