Political tensions flared again in Tamil Nadu on Monday after Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MLA GV Markandayan was arrested over allegations that he made defamatory and threatening remarks against the state’s Chief Minister (CM) C Joseph Vijay during a recent public gathering. 

The cops took the three-time legislator into custody from his residence in Thoothukudi district after receiving a complaint filed by a functionary of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Protests erupted outside his house during the arrest, as supporters raised slogans against the police. 

Complaint filed over speech at public meeting

According to the complaint, Markandayan allegedly made derogatory and threatening remarks against CM Vijay while addressing a public gathering in Kovilpatti on July 18, 2026. Acting on the complaint, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the DMK MLA, invoking Sections 351(3) (aggravated criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult intended to provoke a breach of peace), and 353(2) (statements or false information promoting enmity, hatred or ill will among groups) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against him. 

The police mounted a probe after the complainant accused the legislator of making remarks which were allegedly defamatory and were capable of disrupting public order. 

MLA questions legality of arrest

A video of the MLA’s arrest has been making rounds on social media, which shows him questioning the police action. The MLA can be heard telling the cops that as a sitting member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, he could not be arrested without the permission of the Assembly Speaker. 

Police personnel were seen in the video, attempting to persuade the legislator to accompany them to the police station as supporters gathered outside his residence and protested against the arrest. 

The incident has left Tamil Nadu politically charged, and the Opposition leaders have accused the ruling dispensation of targeting its critics. 

DMK alleges political misuse of police administration

The DMK vehemently criticised the arrest, alleging that the ruling TVK government was using the police to intimidate Opposition leaders and suppress dissent. DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned the action in a post on ‘X’, terming the event ‘barbaric’ and accusing the government of resorting to police action because it was unable to counter criticism politically. 

She alleged that the TVK was repeatedly using law enforcement agencies as tools against DMK members and asserted that the party would respond through democratic means. Kanimozhi also demanded Markandayan’s immediate release from police custody. 

2nd DMK leader arrested in recent week

Notably, Markandayan is the second DMK MLA to have fallen in the police dragnet over alleged remarks against TN CM Vijay in recent weeks. 

Earlier, on July 3, 2026, the state’s former Minister and Tiruchendur MLA Anita R Radhakrishnan was arrested following a probe into an alleged defamatory speech targeting CM Vijay.