Chennai police have registered a case against a DMK councillor for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay during a party event, according to reports. The action follows a complaint lodged by a functionary of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), who sought legal recourse after a video of the speech circulated on social media.
Complaint, charges and summons
The complaint was filed by TVK functionary Udhaya Kumar, and police on Monday registered an FIR against councillor Sudha Dheena Dayalan and the event organiser under three sections of the Indian Penal Code. Sudha has been summoned to appear before investigators for questioning, police said, as enquiries continue into the statements made at the gathering.
The remarks in question were delivered at the DMK’s Mupperum Vizha, held on October 7 at Raja Annamalai Mandram in Chennai. A video clip of the speech that later circulated online has been cited in the complaint as evidence of defamatory language against the Chief Minister.
What was said on stage
At the function, the councillor is reported to have used highly critical language directed at Chief Minister Vijay, allegedly calling him a “dog” and drawing a comparison of his appearance to that of a dead body. Sudha’s remarks were made while defending her party leader and former Chief Minister M K Stalin against comments about his appearance.
“You are a dog who commented on the appearance of our leader Stalin. He is 74 years old. What is your age, you dog? You are 52. If I make my leader stand, you look like a dead body. My leader is a lion and good-looking,” the councillor is reported to have said.
Reportedly present on the stage when the remarks were made were DMK MP Kanimozhi and Chennai Mayor Priya Rajan. The presence of senior party figures during the speech has since been criticised by rival party activists.
Political response from TVK
TVK leaders expressed sharp disapproval of the language used at the DMK event. TVK functionary Kanimozhi Santhosh questioned the conduct of senior DMK leaders who were on stage, saying that political differences do not justify abandoning decorum at public platforms.
Another TVK voice, Public Works Minister and party functionary Aadhav Arjuna, accused the DMK of allowing meetings to become arenas for personal attacks. In a post on X, Aadhav traced a shift, saying earlier political platforms—during the times of Periyar and CN Annadurai—served to educate and raise political awareness, but alleged they have since degenerated under current leadership into forums for offensive language and personal criticism.
- Complaint lodged by TVK functionary Udhaya Kumar prompted police action.
- Councillor Sudha Dheena Dayalan and the event organiser have been booked under three IPC sections and summoned for questioning.
- Video of the October 7 speech at Raja Annamalai Mandram circulated online and formed the basis of the complaint.
The incident underscores the heightened sensitivity around personal remarks about political leaders in Tamil Nadu, where emotive politics and strong regional loyalties often turn public events into flashpoints. Legal complaints and FIRs in such cases are not uncommon in the state, where parties routinely accuse each other of crossing lines of decorum.
Police sources said the investigation will examine the footage, witness statements and the specific sections under which the FIR has been registered. Whether the organisers or others on the dais will face further action will depend on the outcome of initial enquiries, the sources added.
As the matter proceeds through the investigative stage, it may prompt calls from political quarters for clearer norms around conduct at party functions, particularly when senior leaders are present. For residents of Chennai, the episode is a reminder of the fine line political actors navigate between sharp criticism and statements that attract legal consequences.
