Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Rajya Sabha MP, RS Bharathi, has been arrested by Chennai Police for his alleged hate speech against judges of the Scheduled Caste (SC)/ Dalit community.

On early Saturday morning, May 23, the leader was arrested from his residence in Chennai's Nanganallur area. Bharathi is one among the key lieutenants of Stalin.

RS Bharathi
RS Bharathi. Image: Twitter

What is the RS Bharathi speech controversy? 

The arrest came after three months of his speech, in which he claimed that the elevation of certain judges to the Madras HC after M Karunanidhi became chief minister was nothing but alms provided by the Dravidian movement.

Bharathi, the organising secretary of DMK, allegedly gave the speech at Kalaignar Readers Circle in Chennai's Anbagam on February 14.

Days after his controversial speech went viral on social media and after DMK president MK Stalin advised Bharathi to refrain from such statements, he apologised to the media. He also said that his intention was not to hurt any particular community. A case was filed at the Chennai Teynampet police station for his derogatory remarks.

Also Read