The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed that DMK leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin be released on the same day after questioning, following his detention over controversial remarks allegedly made during a public rally in Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu government informed the High Court that it had no intention of keeping Udhayanidhi in custody and that he would be granted station bail after the required questioning.

The development came hours after police detained the senior DMK leader in connection with a case registered over comments allegedly referring to actor Trisha Krishnan, which sparked political outrage and protests across the state.

Government Assures Court of Release

During the hearing before Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, Advocate General Vijay Narayan informed the court that the detention was temporary and that the State would release Udhayanidhi after questioning.

The Advocate General told the court that the police action had been taken in the interest of women and clarified that there was no proposal to keep the DMK leader in judicial custody.

Accepting the submission, the court directed that he be released on station bail after the inquiry.

Controversy Over Rally Remarks

The controversy began during a rally on the Cauvery water dispute in Thanjavur on Monday.

While addressing the gathering and criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, sections of the crowd reportedly chanted the name of actor Trisha.

According to the complaint, Udhayanidhi responded by saying, "Whether the water reaches elsewhere or not, it must definitely reach there."

Opposition parties alleged that the statement carried a double meaning and amounted to an insult to women.

Udhayanidhi, however, maintained that he was referring only to the waters of the Cauvery River and rejected the allegations of making an objectionable remark.

Case Registered Under Multiple Laws

Police registered a case against the DMK leader under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and the Information Technology Act.

Following the registration of the FIR, Udhayanidhi had also approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

He was taken into custody by the Thanjavur East Police before being transported towards Thanjavur for questioning.

Political Reactions Intensify

The detention triggered sharp political reactions across Tamil Nadu.

Several DMK workers staged protests outside Udhayanidhi's residence and the Madras High Court, while some demonstrations reportedly turned violent, with protesters burning effigies and raising slogans against the police.

Senior DMK leaders defended Udhayanidhi, alleging that the controversy was being deliberately politicised to divert attention from the Cauvery water dispute and issues affecting farmers.

The party also claimed that the police action was politically motivated.

Opposition Demands Action

Leaders from opposition parties, including the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other political outfits, criticised Udhayanidhi's remarks.

Several leaders described the alleged comments as inappropriate and offensive to women, while BJP leaders demanded an unconditional public apology and strict legal action.

The controversy has also revived public discussion surrounding long-standing speculation linking actor Trisha Krishnanand actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, although neither has ever publicly commented on such reports.

Issue Likely to Continue

Although the High Court's intervention ensured Udhayanidhi's release after questioning, the legal proceedings in the case will continue.

With both the ruling DMK and Opposition parties hardening their positions, the controversy is expected to remain a major political issue in Tamil Nadu in the coming days.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced that it will not participate in the INDIA bloc meeting scheduled in New Delhi on June 8, marking a significant escalation in its growing rift with the Congress. The decision comes after senior DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the Congress of betraying the party by supporting actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) following the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

The latest development signals a major political shift in Tamil Nadu and raises fresh questions about the future of opposition unity at the national level. Addressing a thanksgiving meeting in Chennai’s Chepauk-Triplicane constituency on Thursday, Udhayanidhi said the DMK would not forget what he described as Congress’ “betrayal” after nearly two decades of political partnership.

According to Udhayanidhi, several Congress legislators who won elections as part of the DMK-led alliance later extended support to TVK, a move that the DMK views as a breach of trust. He also pointed out that none of the victorious Congress MLAs visited the DMK leadership after the election results, further deepening tensions between the two parties.

Alliance Under Strain

The fallout has already resulted in visible political distancing. In May, the DMK sought a separate seating arrangement in the Lok Sabha, formally requesting that its MPs no longer be seated alongside Congress members. DMK leader Kanimozhi wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, stating that the changing political circumstances warranted a revised arrangement.

The latest decision to skip the INDIA bloc meeting is being viewed as another strong signal that relations between the two parties have deteriorated significantly. The June 8 meeting is expected to bring together leaders from several opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, to discuss future political strategies.

TVK's Rise Alters Political Equations

The emergence of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK has reshaped Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Formed in 2024, the party delivered a remarkable performance in the Assembly elections, securing 108 seats and emerging as a major force in the state.

The Congress decision to support TVK after the election results appears to have triggered the current conflict. DMK leaders argue that the move effectively undermined the alliance that had worked together during the election campaign.

Political analysts believe the development could have wider implications for opposition politics, especially at a time when regional parties are reassessing their relationships within the INDIA bloc.

From Partnership to Political Break

The Congress-DMK relationship has experienced several phases over the decades. While the two parties first collaborated during the early 1970s under the leadership of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, the alliance later fractured after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

The partnership was revived in 2004 when the DMK exited the NDA and joined hands with Congress. The alliance went on to achieve significant electoral success, including a near sweep in the 2004 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections and victory in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

Following Karunanidhi’s death, DMK president M.K. Stalin further strengthened ties with Congress. However, the post-election developments of 2026 have now brought the alliance to a breaking point.