TN deputy speaker faces row over alleged assault on Thuraiyur resident for complaining about civic issue

Tamil Nadu Assembly Deputy Speaker and Thuraiyur TVK MLA M. Ravishankar. | Photo credit: tnla.neva.gov.in

Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly and Thuraiyur (SC) TVK MLA M. Ravishankar was embroiled in controversy on Monday (9 November 2026) after a video surfaced in which a local resident alleged that he was assaulted by a former official for raising a civic issue. However, the police said they have not received any complaint regarding the incident, which reportedly took place on Sunday (November 8, 2026) night when resident Karthick Kumar approached the MLA to complain about shortage of drinking water and other civic problems in his locality in Tiruchi district.

A video clip showing the alleged assault has gone viral on social media platforms. The video, shot in the dark, shows one man attacking another, but their faces are not clearly visible. A man who repeatedly says he voted for ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay (Chief Minister and leader of TVK) is seen being repeatedly attacked by another person and asked the name of his village.

Mr. Karthick Kumar, a resident of Thuraiyur, on Monday (November 9, 2026) alleged that he was assaulted and alleged that he was assaulted by Mr. Ravishankar.

Mr Kumar, who was being treated at the Manachanallur Government Hospital, alleged in a separate video clip that the Deputy Speaker assaulted and insulted him when he went to raise civic issues as no action was taken on his complaints to the municipality and the MLA’s office.

Later, Mr. Kumar released another video clip in which he is seen with Mr. Ravishankar, denying the attack and claiming that there was only commotion in the crowd. “The incident has been misrepresented on social media,” he said, urging people not to believe rumours.

However, he came out with another video clip in which he reiterated that he was assaulted by Mr Ravishankar but was “threatened and forced” to release an earlier video statement denying the attack. He also claimed that he was picked up by a police officer from Manachanallur and taken to the city police station where he faced arrest for assaulting three persons.

“Later I was taken to Mr. Ravishankar’s residence and forced to retract my earlier statement. As they threatened to kill me and my family, I had to give the statement to save myself,” said Mr. Kumar, who was admitted to the Mahatama Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital in Tiruchi on Monday (November 9, 2026) evening.

Mr Kumar told reporters that he had been “misrepresented” on social media and accused of taking money.

The vice president has not commented on the allegations and attempts to reach him by phone for comment were unsuccessful.

Published – 9 Nov 2026 20:08 IST