CHENNAI: TVK spokesperson Americai Narayanan on Tuesday sharply criticised Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin amid widespread criticism he has been facing over a controversy that arose from his remarks at a rally on Monday after sections of the crowd chanted actor Trisha’s name.According to news agency ANI, Narayanan alleged that Udhayanidhi Stalin used a farmers’ platform to make derogatory remarks about women.“Udhayanidhi Stalin is no longer called by his name. The women and people of Tamil Nadu have given him a new name: “vulgar nidhi.” His comments are shameful. As a TVK member, I was really looking forward to Udhayanidhi’s speech during the Cauvery protest yesterday, as he’s the Leader of the Opposition, to address the consideration of the government. Unfortunately, he used the farmers’ platform to speak ill about women,” said Americai Narayanan.The remarks have drawn criticism from leaders across party lines. Congress MP Jothimani also objected to Udhayanidhi’s comments and urged him not to involve women in political disputes.“I saw the video where a woman was objectified in an objectionable manner. When a woman who has nothing to do with politics is named, he should have reprimanded the party workers. This is objectionable. I was shocked to see this coming from Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is a staunch follower of Periyar. Don’t drag women in politics in this manner. Women of this country are no longer willing to take such things,” said Jothimani.TVK MLA Rhevanth Charan termed the remark “disgusting” and accused the DMK leadership of lowering the standards of political discourse.“Absolutely disgusting. Passing such disgraceful comments against anyone is completely unacceptable. It exposes the mindset, political culture, and declining standards of the Arivalayam clan. Your announced protest collapsed even before it could begin. Now, desperate for attention, you have resorted to cheap provocation and engagement farming. This is precisely why the people of Tamil Nadu rejected you and confined you to the position you are in today. Continue with this arrogance and indecency, and you will soon be erased from public relevance altogether. Even by Arivalayam’s already abysmal standards, this is a new low,” Charan said, according to news agency ANI.MDMK General Secretary Vaiko stated, “The speech delivered by Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin at the DMK’s protest in Thanjavur, in which he crossed the limits of political decorum and criticised Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, deserves strong condemnation.”Invoking Thiruvalluvar’s classic literature, ‘Thirukkural’, Vaiko advised Udhayanidhi to “guard his tongue.”“As the Opposition Leader, Udhayanidhi Stalin should adhere to the wisdom of the Thirukkural: ‘Whatever the circumstance, guard your tongue.’ Instead, using cheap and derogatory language against the Chief Minister is unbecoming of the high office he holds,” the MDMK leader stated.“The DMK organised the protest by exploiting the Cauvery issue to obstruct the government and pursue its political agenda. Udhayanidhi Stalin’s speech at the protest has reduced him to the level of a fourth-rate political speaker, and he should realise that. On the Cauvery issue, Tamil Nadu’s voice must rise in unity, transcending political differences. Only then can the state’s rights be effectively protected,” Vaiko added.Meanwhile, the Madras high court directed Tamil Nadu Police on Tuesday to release the DMK MLA after completing questioning in connection with a case registered over his alleged remarks linked to actor Trisha.The court also instructed him to cooperate with the investigation whenever required.Earlier in the day, Thanjavur (East) Police took the DMK leader into custody from his residence in Neelankarai, Chennai, and brought him to Thanjavur for questioning in connection with an FIR registered over his speech at a Cauvery protest meeting on Monday.He was booked under Sections 61, 79, 192, 196, 296(b), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.The controversy stems from a remark Udhayanidhi allegedly made while addressing a gathering at the Cauvery protest. According to the complaint, he was interrupted by a section of the crowd chanting “Trisha, Trisha,” to which he allegedly responded, “Whether the water reaches anywhere else or not, it should reach there,” before clarifying that he was referring to Cauvery water.Following the incident, the women’s wing of TVK lodged a complaint with Thanjavur Police, alleging that the DMK leader had made a double-entendre remark targeting actor Trisha.The DMK has denied the allegation, maintaining that Udhayanidhi’s comments were taken out of context and were aimed at criticising the government’s functioning rather than any individual.
