The Thoothukudi District Crime Branch police on Monday (July 20, 2026) arrested Vilathikulam DMK MLA G.V. Markandayan on charges of making remarks considered “derogatory” against Chief Minister Joseph Vijay at a public meeting organised by the party in Kovilpatti.

The meeting was held on Saturday (July 18) to thank the voters there following the Assembly elections. Several DMK leaders, including DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi and former Minister P. Geetha Jeevan, were also present.

During his speech, Mr. Markandayan allegedly made certain remarks against Mr. Vijay.

Following this, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) north district secretary Balasubramanian lodged a complaint with the Thoothukudi District Crime Branch police on Sunday (July 19).

Subsequently, on Monday morning, the police arrived at the residence of Mr. Markandayan in Vilathikulam and arrested him. He was later taken to the office of the Superintendent of Police in Thoothukudi for further inquiry.

The police have booked him under three sections: 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 353(2) (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Stalin condemns arrest

DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemned the MLA’s arrest and accused the TVK-led government of functioning without adhering to democratic norms.

“The ‘Take Diversion’ Model government of the TVK is targeting former DMK Ministers, MLAs, and social media supporters for pointing out the government’s excesses and shortcomings,” he alleged in a social media post.

Mr. Stalin also referred to the High Court’s criticism of the TVK government after it questioned the inclusion of unnecessary provisions in defamation cases. 

“The MLA has not been allowed to meet his advocate or supporters. Even those who brought medicines for him were prevented from seeing him. The legal and human rights of the arrested have been denied. Is this the rule of law or Satan rule in Tamil Nadu?” he asked.

Mr. Stalin further questioned why the government was intent on arresting Opposition members for criticising it while failing to take action against the Minister accused of crushing a tablet (resembling the act of preparing for snorting drugs) at a stadium and in the case relating to the alleged sexual assault of a TVK woman functionary.

Kanimozhi slams ‘high-handed’ action

In a post on X, the DMK’s deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi strongly condemned the TVK government’s action on the MLA and termed it “high-handed”. She alleged that the ruling party, unable to face criticism, continued to unleash the police on members of the DMK in an attempt to suppress them. She added that the TVK would be taught an appropriate lesson through democratic means.