Vilathikulam DMK MLA arrested for remarks against Tamil Nadu CM Vijay

The Thoothukudi District Crime Branch police on Monday (July 20, 2026) arrested Vilathikulam DMK MLA GV Markandayan on charges of making remarks deemed “defamatory” against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a public meeting organized by the party in Kovilpatti. He was remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.

The meeting was held on Saturday (July 18) as a thank you to the local voters after the council elections. Several DMK leaders were also present, including DMK organizing secretary RS Bharathi and former minister P Geetha Jeevan.

During his speech, Mr. Markandayan reportedly made certain remarks against Mr. Vijay.

Vilathikulam DMK MLA GV Markandayan was arrested by police in Thoothukudi district on Monday | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Following this, North District Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Secretary Balasubramanian lodged a complaint with the Thoothukudi District Crime Branch police on Sunday (July 19).

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

The police booked him under three sections: 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 353(2) (statements leading to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Geetha Jeevan arrested

Ms. Geetha Jeevan and more than 100 DMK workers were detained after they staged a sit-in outside the Thoothukudi Collectorate. They started the protest after the police denied them permission to meet Mr. Markandayan.

As news of the arrest spread, DMK workers from across the district began gathering near the SP’s office, prompting the police to tighten security. Former Ministers Anitha Radhakrishnan, Ms Geetha Jeevan and others also rushed to the SP office. However, the police set up barricades in front of the SP office. The DMK members requested that at least four persons be allowed to meet Mr. Markandayan and inquire about his health. But the police rejected the request.

Mr. Anitha Radhakrishnan spoke to the media at the spot and said, “(Minister) Aadhav Arjuna called our Chief Minister (MK Stalin) a ‘stupid Chief Minister’. Have we arrested him for that?” He added that the police arrested Mr. Markandayan at 6 am without any prior notice. “It won’t take long. This government can survive for another four months. The police can only act like this until then,” he said.

Ms. Geetha Jeevan claimed that no case was filed against Srivaikuntam MLA from TVK, even after the woman was accused of sexual assault. “If the matter concerns TVK members, no action is taken. If the matter concerns DMK, it is immediately arrested. This is suppression and authoritarianism,” she added.

After that, Mr. Anitha Radhakrishnan, Ms. Geetha Jeevan, DMK MLA and workers staged a sit-in. The police tried to arrest them, leading to a heated argument. Meanwhile, Mr. Anitha Radhakrishnan complained of dizziness and left the place.

However, Ms. Geetha Jeevan came out of the Collectorate premises and staged a protest on Thoothukudi-Palayamkottai Road. Kovilpatti MLA K. Karunanithi and a large number of DMK workers joined the protest. The protest briefly disrupted traffic.

Police later arrested Ms. Geetha Jeevan, Mr. Karunanithi and others. They were accommodated in a private wedding hall in Madathur.

Stalin condemns the arrest

DMK president and former chief minister MK Stalin condemned the MLA’s arrest and accused the TVK-led government of functioning without following democratic norms.

“TVK’s ‘Take Diversion’ model government is targeting former DMK ministers, MLAs and social media followers for pointing out the government’s excesses and shortcomings,” he said in a social media post.

Mr. Stalin also pointed to 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 or supporters. Even those who brought medicine for him could not see him. The legal and human rights of those arrested were denied. Is this the rule of law or Satan in Tamil Nadu?” he asked.

Mr. Stalin further asked why the government intends to arrest members of the opposition for criticizing it, while failing to act against a minister accused of crushing a tablet (resembling the act of preparation for sniffing drugs) in a stadium and in a case involving the alleged sexual assault of a TVK official.

Kanimozhi slams ‘high hand’ action

In a post on X, DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi strongly condemned the TVK government’s move on MLAs, calling it “insulting”. She alleged that the ruling party, unable to face criticism, continued to unleash police on DMK members in an attempt to suppress them. She added that TVK will receive an appropriate lesson through democratic means.

Vlathikulam Assembly Member Mr. @mlavilathikulam The act of the Dweg government to arrest them in an anarchic manner is highly condemnable.

The DMK government, unable to face criticism, is trying to suppress the DMK police through democratic means.

— Kanimozhi (@KanimozhiDMK) July 20, 2026

Published – 20 Jul 2026 11:21 IST