Police on Tuesday arrested opposition leader Udhayanidhi after allegations that he made derogatory, double-meaning remarks about women during a protest in Thanjavur. A case has been registered against him under nine sections, including provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Tamil Nadu law on atrocities against women, and the Information Technology Act.
The remarks were reportedly made during a DMK-led demonstration criticising the Tamil Nadu Vettri Kazhagam government for allegedly failing to stop the Karnataka Congress government’s attempt to build a dam at Mekedatu across the Cauvery. The speech drew sharp criticism, with allegations that obscene language was used without restraint.
Several ministers, including N. Anand, Aadhav, Rajmohan, Keerthana and Ramesh, publicly condemned the comments, according to the report.
Police booked the case under BNS sections 196 (promoting enmity, disturbing public tranquillity), 192 (provocation of riot), 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 79 (words intended to outrage a woman’s modesty), 296(b) (obscene acts/words in public), 61 (criminal conspiracy), and 351 (criminal intimidation), along with Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu women’s atrocities law and Section 67 of the IT Act.
When his anticipatory bail petition came up, a High Court judge directed that Udhayanidhi be released the same day, the report said.
