The controversy intensified after an old video, originally recorded nearly two years ago, began circulating widely on social media. The footage purportedly shows Sarath Kumar crushing a tablet while attending an Indian Premier League match with his wife and daughter. The video was widely shared with claims that the minister was using a narcotic substance, allegations that he has strongly denied.
The DMK organized a protest demanding the minister's resignation over the alleged drug-related controversy. However, police denied permission to the DMK Students Wing to stage the demonstration near Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai. The decision led to a heated argument between protesters and police personnel.
More than 20 protesters were detained for violating the prohibitory orders imposed at the protest site. According to an official, all those detained are likely to be released later in the evening.
During the demonstration, DMK members stated that their protest was aimed at protecting the youth from the influence of drugs. They questioned why the police had prevented what they described as a peaceful and orderly protest against the minister.
Responding to the controversy, Sarath Kumar categorically denied allegations that the substance shown in the video was a narcotic. He clarified that the tablet was a medicine intended for his daughter, who had fallen ill while they were attending the Indian Premier League match. According to the minister, he crushed the tablet into powder so it could be administered more easily to his daughter. He further stated that the video being circulated was nearly two years old and was being misleadingly presented as evidence of drug consumption.
The controversy also drew sharp criticism from DMDK General Secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth, who described the viral footage as highly condemnable. Speaking to reporters, she said that public representatives should conduct themselves responsibly and maintain appropriate standards of public behavior.
Premalatha further noted that although Sarath Kumar was not serving as a minister when the video was originally recorded, he now holds a Cabinet position and therefore his conduct is subject to greater public scrutiny. The 57-year-old legislator representing the Virudhachalam Assembly constituency stated that elected representatives must always act with a strong sense of duty and responsibility.
The timing of the controversy has added to its political significance. The video resurfaced on the same day that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off an anti-drug marathon on June 26 to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The campaign was launched with the objective of creating a drug-free state, making the allegations surrounding the minister particularly sensitive.
As speculation surrounding the white powder-like substance continued to dominate political discussions and social media, the TVK distanced itself from the controversy, signaling that it would not be associated with the incident.
The resurfaced video has evolved into a significant political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu, drawing protests, opposition criticism, police action, and public debate over accountability and responsible conduct by elected representatives. While the minister continues to maintain that the substance was legally prescribed medicine for his daughter, the controversy has intensified demands for political accountability amid the state's ongoing anti-drug campaign
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