Political tensions flared in Tamil Nadu on Monday after the Chennai city police detained popular YouTuber and political commentator Maridhas over videos allegedly critical of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Chief Minister (CM) C Joseph Vijay.
The action has drawn sharp reactions from opposition leaders and has reignited discussion surrounding freedom of expression and political criticism in the state.
YouTuber Maridhas
Cyber cops register case
As per reports, the Chennai Police’s cyber-crime wing has registered a case suo motu following a series of online videos uploaded by Maridhas which reportedly criticised the functioning of the TVK government and several ministers belonging to it.
A special police team travelled to Madurai and detained the YouTuber from his house in Surya Nagar with assistance from the Madurai City police. He was subsequently taken to Chennai for interrogation.
A senior police official said that Maridhas had been detained in connection with a case registered by the cyber-crime wing. However, authorities did not reveal the legal provisions under which he had been booked, citing the ongoing probe.
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Who is Maridhas? Details here
For the unversed, Maridhas is a Madurai-based YouTuber known for his outspoken political views and strong social media presence. Over the years, he has built a sizable following by means of video analysing political development, governance issues and public affairs, particularly in Tamil Nadu.
The content shared by film often centres on criticism of political parties and government policies, elevating him as a prominent and frequently controversial voice in the state’s digital political landscape.
Notably, this is not the first time Maridhas has found himself in the soup. He had earlier faced police cases linked to his online content and political commentary. However, his latest detention comes at a politically sensitive time, following the TVK’s rise to power, the political party founded by actor-politician Vijay.
Tamil Nadu police logo
BJP condemns detention
The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) was quick to criticise the TVK, with Tamil Nadu BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy demanding Maridhas’s immediate release. He posted a message on social media, accusing the Vijay-led administration of suppressing dissent and undermining democratic values.
He termed the detention an attack on freedom of expression and warned the TVK against what he called political overreach. He also drew a comparison with the previous DMK government, claiming that public discontent could grow if criticism continued to be met with punitive action.