Vilathikulam DMK MLA arrested for remarks against Tamil Nadu CM Vijay

Thoothukudi District Crime Branch police on Monday (July 20, 2026) arrested Vilathikulam DMK MLA GV Markandayan on charges of making remarks deemed “derogatory” against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a public meeting held by the party in Kovilpatti.

The meeting was held on Saturday, July 18, to thank the voters who were there after the Assembly elections. A large number of DMK leaders, including DMK organizing secretary RS Bharathi and former Minister P. Geetha Jeevan, were also present.

It was alleged that Mr. Markandayan made some remarks against Mr. Vijay during his speech.

Vilathikulam Dmk MLA, GV Markandayan was arrested by police in Thoothukudi district on Monday | Photo Credit: Special Editing

Following this, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) north district secretary Balasubramanian filed a complaint with the Thoothukudi District Crime Branch police on Sunday, July 19.

Later on Monday morning, the police arrived at Mr. Markandayan’s home in Vilathikulam and arrested him. He was later taken to the Superintendent of Police office in Thoothukudi for further investigation.

Police have charged him under three sections: 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to incite breach of peace) and 353(2) (statements causing public opprobrium) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Stalin condemned the arrest

DMK chief and former Chief Minister MK Stalin condemned the MLA’s arrest and accused the TVK-led government of not adhering to democratic norms.

“TVK’s ‘Direction’ Model government is targeting former DMK Ministers, MLAs and social media supporters for pointing out the government’s excesses and shortcomings,” he alleged in a social media post.

Mr Stalin also touched on the Supreme Court’s criticism of the TVK government after it questioned the inclusion of unnecessary provisions in defamation cases.

“The MLA was not allowed to meet his lawyer and supporters. Even those who brought him medicine were prevented from seeing him. The legal and human rights of the detainees were denied. Is it the rule of law or is it this?” Devil Does it rule in Tamil Nadu?” he asked.

Mr Stalin also questioned why the government intends to arrest Opposition members who are critical of him when he has not taken action against the Minister in the case of him accused of crushing a tablet in a stadium (similar to the act of preparing to snort drugs) and the alleged sexual assault of a female TVK official.

Kanimozhi condemns ‘bully’ act

DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, in a post on X, strongly condemned the TVK government’s action against the MLA and called it “tyrannical”. He alleged that the ruling party, unable to withstand criticism, continued to unleash the police on DMK members to suppress them. He added that TVK will be taught the necessary lesson through democratic means.