Congress backs DMK MLA arrest over remarks on CM Vijay in Tamil Nadu
Synopsis
The arrest of a senior DMK MLA for allegedly insulting Tamil Nadu’s new Chief Minister — and the Congress backing that action — underscores how sharply the post-2026 political order in the state has shifted. With the DMK now in opposition and the TVK-Congress alliance in power, the rules of political speech are being enforced in ways that were unthinkable just months ago.
Key Takeaways
TNCC President Manickam Tagore backed police action against DMK MLA Anitha R.
Radhakrishnan on 4 July over alleged defamatory remarks targeting CM C.
Radhakrishnan was arrested by Thoothukudi police after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea; he secured bail near midnight.
The case stems from a speech at a public meeting on 20 June ; cases registered under Sections 352 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The complaint was filed by the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ; the arrest follows the DMK’s loss of power in the 2026 Assembly election .
Tagore also criticised Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar over a review meeting in Madurai , alleging constitutional overreach.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President Manickam Tagore on 4 July backed police action against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MLA Anitha R. Radhakrishnan, criticising the Tiruchendur legislator for his alleged defamatory remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and asserting that political leaders must uphold decency in public discourse. The remarks came hours after Radhakrishnan secured bail around midnight following his arrest earlier on Friday.
The Arrest and Bail
Radhakrishnan, a senior DMK leader and MLA from Tiruchendur, was arrested by Thoothukudi police while he was visiting Attur, approximately 23 km from Thoothukudi, after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea on Friday. He was escorted to a waiting police vehicle, questioned by investigators, and subsequently taken to Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital for a medical examination before being produced before the Tiruchendur court. The court granted him bail shortly before midnight.
What the Case Is About
The case originates from a speech Radhakrishnan delivered at a public meeting on 20 June, in which he allegedly made derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Vijay. Following a complaint by the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), police registered cases against him under Section 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and Section 353(2) (statements conducing to public mischief).
What the Congress Said
Speaking to reporters after paying tributes at the memorial of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj in Chennai, Tagore questioned whether Radhakrishnan had grasped the changed political reality following the 2026 Assembly election, in which the DMK lost power. 'Is he aware of the present political situation? Doesn’t he realise that the DMK has lost power?' Tagore asked. He further said there should be 'some decency in speaking and in attacking political leaders,' expressing hope that the opposition would 'learn to speak and refrain from making derogatory remarks.'
High Court Observation and Courtroom Dispute
Earlier on Friday, while rejecting the anticipatory bail plea, Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan of the Madras High Court orally observed that a sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly should not have made such statements. When Radhakrishnan was subsequently produced before the Tiruchendur court, a heated exchange erupted between prosecution and defence. Counsel for the MLA argued that no immediate arrest was necessary, as Radhakrishnan had already communicated his willingness to appear for questioning on 10 July in response to a summons, and alleged that due procedure was not followed during the arrest. The government counsel countered that the MLA had not accepted the earlier summons and that the arrest was a precautionary measure given potential law-and-order concerns. After hearing both sides, Judge Chidambaram granted bail.
Tagore's Remarks on Tamil Nadu Governor
Tagore also trained his sights on Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, criticising a recent review meeting the Governor held with government officials in Madurai. Tagore alleged the Governor was overstepping his constitutional role. 'It is unfortunate that the Governor is indulging in such activities. If he wants to do Goa-like politics, he should go there. I request him not to exceed his constitutional limits,' the TNCC chief said. The remarks signal that the Congress-TVK alliance is united in pushing back against what they characterise as gubernatorial overreach — a tension that has played out in several Opposition-ruled states in recent years.
Point of View
But it also raises a legitimate question about whether speech-related arrests of opposition legislators set a precedent that any future government could exploit. Tagore’s simultaneous swipe at the Governor suggests the Congress is carefully positioning itself as both a defender of the new order and a guardian of constitutional propriety — a dual role that will face scrutiny as the alliance matures.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was DMK MLA Anitha R. Radhakrishnan arrested?
Radhakrishnan was arrested by Thoothukudi police on 4 July over a speech he allegedly delivered on 20 June at a public meeting in which he made derogatory remarks about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Cases were registered against him under Sections 352 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a complaint by the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Did the Madras High Court grant Radhakrishnan anticipatory bail?
No. The Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea on Friday, with Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan orally observing that a sitting MLA should not have made such statements. Radhakrishnan was subsequently arrested and later granted regular bail by the Tiruchendur court near midnight.
What did Congress leader Manickam Tagore say about the arrest?
TNCC President Manickam Tagore backed the action, saying political leaders must maintain decency in public discourse. He questioned whether Radhakrishnan was aware that the DMK had lost power after the 2026 Assembly election, and expressed hope the opposition would 'learn to speak and refrain from making derogatory remarks.'
Who is C. Joseph Vijay, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister?
C. Joseph Vijay is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, heading the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which came to power after the 2026 Assembly election in which the DMK lost. The TVK filed the complaint that led to Radhakrishnan’s arrest.
What did Tagore say about Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar?
Tagore criticised Governor Arlekar for holding a review meeting with government officials in Madurai, alleging he was overstepping his constitutional role. He said, 'If he wants to do Goa-like politics, he should go there,' and urged the Governor not to exceed his constitutional limits.
