Chennai, June 29: Political tensions escalated in Tamil Nadu on Monday as workers and members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) staged protests in Chennai, demanding the dismissal and arrest of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Minister D. Sarath Kumar over a resurfaced video that allegedly shows him handling a white powder-like substance during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match. The video, originally recorded around two years ago, has recently gone viral on social media, reigniting a political controversy.
The demonstration, led by the DMK’s student wing, took place near Doveton in Vepery and other parts of Chennai. Protesters raised slogans against the state government and demanded immediate legal action against the Human Resources Management Minister. Police intervened during the unauthorised protest and detained more than 50 demonstrators before restoring normal traffic in the area.
What Is the Controversy?
The controversy centres on a viral clip from an IPL match in which Sarath Kumar is seen using an ATM card to crush or spread a white powder-like substance on the screen of a mobile phone while seated in the stands. The visuals sparked speculation on social media, with opposition leaders alleging that the substance could be narcotics. However, no official investigation has established that the substance shown in the video was an illegal drug.
Sarath Kumar Denies Allegations
Rejecting the allegations, Sarath Kumar said the claims were baseless and politically motivated. He explained that the video was taken about two years ago when he was crushing a tablet into powder to administer medicine to his unwell daughter. The minister maintained that the clip had been taken out of context and accused political opponents of attempting to tarnish his image.
DMK Demands Action
Despite the minister’s clarification, the DMK has intensified its attack on the ruling TVK government, arguing that the explanation is unconvincing and calling for an impartial investigation. Party leaders have demanded that Sarath Kumar be removed from the Cabinet pending the outcome of any inquiry, asserting that ministers must be held to the highest standards of public accountability.
Political Heat Builds in Tamil Nadu
The controversy has become one of the first major flashpoints between the opposition DMK and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s TVK-led government since it assumed office. Political analysts believe the issue is likely to dominate political discourse in the state in the coming days, with both parties expected to continue trading accusations over the incident.
As of now, no criminal charges have been announced against Sarath Kumar in connection with the resurfaced video. Authorities have also not publicly confirmed that the substance shown in the clip was an illegal drug. The matter remains the subject of political debate rather than an established criminal finding.
