Tamil Nadu
'Law will take its action': Vijay's zero tolerance on insulting women weeks after Udhayanidhi's arrest
Chennai/IBNS: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday expressed zero tolerance towards the insult of women, weeks after Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested over his alleged "double meaning" remarks involving actor Trisha Krishnan, media reports said.
Vijay said the law would take its own course if women were demeaned in the state, while underlining the limitations of freedom of speech.
Without naming Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vijay said, as quoted by India Today: "Freedom of speech – how it is being used, we should retrospect. At the same time, speaking of our people or women in a demeaning way, let's not have that."
"People are watching some speaking in double meaning. I just want to say that we all have women as sisters and mothers in our home... So if women are insulted, the law will take its action," he added.
Udhayanidhi Stalin's Trisha remark
The controversy erupted after DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin made an allegedly objectionable, double-meaning remark during a rally in Thanjavur over the Cauvery water dispute.
The remark came after members of the crowd chanted actor Trisha Krishnan's name and was interpreted as an inappropriate reference involving the actor and Vijay.
The comments triggered strong criticism from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and BJP leaders. TVK subsequently filed a complaint, while the controversy also reached the National Commission for Women.
Udhayanidhi Stalin arrested
On August 4, 2026, Tamil Nadu Police arrested Udhayanidhi from his residence in Chennai in connection with the case.
Udhayanidhi maintained that a "fake narrative" had been created around his speech and said he would fight the case legally. He also denied that he had intended any double meaning in his remarks.
After several hours of questioning, Udhayanidhi was released on station bail, according to reports.
He subsequently alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and claimed that he had been targeted for speaking about farmers.
Vijay's latest warning
Vijay's latest remarks have brought the controversy back into focus, with the Chief Minister stressing that freedom of speech cannot be used to demean women.
Although he did not name Udhayanidhi, his comments came weeks after the DMK leader's arrest over the controversial remarks, adding a fresh political dimension to the episode.
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