Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Arrested Over Offending Comment During Protest

The dramatic and high-profile arrest of Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin in Tamil Nadu on 4 August has created a political storm across the state. His arrest followed a demonstration on the Cauvery water dispute in Thanjavur. "When the crowd chanted the name of'Trisha," she smilingly made a double-meaning statement, which was considered offensive and undignified. She has been booked under Section 79 (outraging modesty of a woman), Section 296 (b) (obscene acts in public place) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Harassment of Women Act. "The police detained her early in the morning from her house in Neelangarai and took her to Sengipatti police station, 350 km away. However, she was later granted bail from the police station itself on the orders of the Madras High Court. The entire incident has exposed the undesirable and anti-women mindset that prevails in the state politics. Once again, the male political heavyweights have been engaged in this kind of acrimonious battle, whether it is a cheap stunt or a skirmish.