Chennai: An old viral video of the now Tamil Nadu Human Resources Management Minister D Sarath Kumar purportedly seen as crushing a pill has resurfaced, snowballing into a controversy. The opposition parties have demanded stringent action against him with the DMK hitting the streets on Monday demanding his resignation.
The police denied permission to the DMK student wing members to stage an agitation near the Rajarathinam Stadium here today, leading to an argument between the two. Over 20 protesters were detained for violating the prohibitory order and they are likely to be released in the evening, an official said.
The DMK members could be heard saying they were protesting to safeguard the youth from the influence of drugs and questioned why the police should prevent an orderly protest.
The agitation was triggered by a video circulating in social media showing Sarath Kumar using a "tablet" when he was watching an IPL match along with his wife and daughter.
Kumar however denied that it was a drug.
He later clarified that he had crushed a tablet to administer it in powdered form to his daughter who became sick during an IPL match. He had explained that it was a medicine meant for his daughter and not a substance as "wrongly claimed" in the social media. It was a two-year old video that was being circulated now, he added.
Meanwhile, as the controversy surrounding the white powder-like substance intensified, the TVK has distanced itself from the incident.
In a separate incident, Karur AIADMK MLA MR Vijayabaskar has resigned, in another blow to the party rife with internal struggles after the Assembly elections. This makes him the sixth AIADMK MLA to quit after the assembly elections in the state. Of these, four have already joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
(With inputs from PTI)