DMK protests in Tamil Nadu demand minister's dismissal over drug video
On June 29, 2026, over 345 DMK student wing cadres were arrested or detained across multiple towns in Tamil Nadu, India, for unauthorized protests demanding the dismissal of Minister D. Sarathkumar. The controversy stems from a viral video showing him crushing a white substance during an IPL match, which the DMK alleges is drug abuse, while Sarathkumar claims it was a tablet for his daughter. DMK leader M.K. Stalin condemned the arrests as democratic suppression and called for an investigation.
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DMK Cadre Detained in Madurai Protest Against Minister Over Drug Allegations
On June 29, 2026, over 200 DMK Students Wing members were detained by police in Madurai, India, while staging a protest demanding the dismissal of State Minister for Human Resources Management D. Sarathkumar. The protest followed a viral video clip showing the Minister crushing a white substance on his phone with a debit card during an IPL match in Chennai. The Minister stated he was crushing a tablet for his unwell daughter. Protesters, however, claimed he was using a narcotic substance in public. Despite being denied permission, the cadre gathered near Andalpuram on Bypass Road, leading to their detention by police.
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On June 29, 2026, over 100 DMK cadres were detained by police in the Dindigul and Theni districts of Tamil Nadu, India, for staging unauthorized protests. The demonstrations demanded the dismissal of State Minister for Human Resources Management D. Sarathkumar following allegations of narcotic substance use. The controversy stems from a viral video showing the minister crushing a white substance with a debit card during an IPL match. The minister clarified he was crushing a tablet for his ill daughter. Despite a denied protest permit, DMK Student Wing members held demonstrations in front of the Dindigul Head Post Office and the Palanichettipatti Town Panchayat office, leading to their detention by police.
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DMK president M.K. Stalin and deputy general secretary Kanimozhi condemned the arrest of DMK student wing cadres who were denied permission to protest against Tamil Nadu Human Resources Management Minister D. Sarathkumar. The protest was triggered by a video allegedly showing the minister performing actions resembling preparations for snorting drugs during an IPL match in Chennai. Stalin accused Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of trying to protect a 'fake image' by intimidating the opposition, citing also a case against former minister Sivasankar and a raid on former minister E.V. Velu's residence. Kanimozhi questioned the democratic credentials of the ruling TVK government and demanded a proper investigation and action against the minister.
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On June 29, 2026, DMK cadre in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, staged a protest and courted arrest, demanding the resignation of Minister D. Sarathkumar over a controversial video showing him handling a suspected narcotic substance during an IPL match. The cadre, led by former Hosur MLA Y. Prakash, enacted the Minister by pretending to snort an imaginary substance. The protest was part of state-wide demonstrations called by DMK leader and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Scores of DMK cadre were rounded up and taken to a wedding hall in Krishnagiri, where they continued their protests. The video in question was posted as 'thug life' and reportedly shot before Sarathkumar became a minister.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.DMK Students' Wing Protests Against Minister D. Sarathkumar in Salem, Arrested
On June 29, 2026, in Salem, Tamil Nadu, members of the DMK Students' Wing staged a protest demanding the dismissal of Minister for Human Resources Management D. Sarathkumar from the state cabinet. The protest followed a controversy over an old viral video showing the Minister crushing a white substance while watching an IPL match. The DMK alleged the substance was drugs, though the Minister claimed it was a tablet. Over 200 cadre gathered at Salem Fort Maiden, attempting a road blockade. Police intervened, arresting the protesters, who were held in a marriage hall before being released. Similar protests occurred in Namakkal, where DMK cadre dispersed after police noted lack of permission. The event was part of a state-wide protest campaign by the DMK against the Minister.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.DMK Cadre Detained for Unauthorized Protest in Erode Demanding Minister's Resignation
On June 29, 2026, police in Erode, Tamil Nadu, detained over 100 members of the DMK Students' Wing for staging an unauthorized protest demanding the resignation of Minister for Human Resources Management D. Sarathkumar. The protest followed the circulation of a social media video allegedly showing the minister consuming narcotic substances. Despite police denying permission, the demonstrators, led by DMK Youth Wing deputy secretary and Erode MP K.E. Prakash, assembled near Kalaimadu Silai. Police intervened, removing participants in vehicles to a nearby marriage hall where they were held for hours before release. Similar protests and detentions occurred in Gobichettipalayam and Bhavani.
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On June 29, 2026, over 45 cadres of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) were arrested by police in Kariyapatti, Virudhunagar district, while attempting to stage a protest. The protest, organized by the party's students' wing, demanded the immediate dismissal of State Minister for Human Resources Management D. Sarathkumar on charges of abusing drugs. The allegations stem from a viral video showing the minister powdering a white substance on his mobile phone during an IPL match in Chennai. Minister Sarathkumar has clarified that he was crushing a tablet for his unwell daughter. DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu condemned the arrests, accusing the government of suppressing democratic protest and calling for the immediate release of the cadres and a proper inquiry into the allegations.
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