DMK leaders demanded legal action against Tamil Nadu minister R Sarathkumar over a viral IPL video
June 29, 2026: Several DMK workers were detained in Chennai on Monday while protesting against Tamil Nadu Human Resources Management Minister R Sarathkumar over a viral video from an IPL match earlier this year. The demonstration, led by former minister PK Sekarbabu and Chennai Mayor R Priya, went ahead despite police denying permission. Protesters staged a road blockade, briefly affecting traffic before police stepped in.
Police said the gathering was unauthorised and detained at least 50 protesters before dispersing the crowd. The protest centred on a social media video in which Sarathkumar was seen handling a white substance with a debit card during an IPL match, prompting opposition leaders to demand legal action.
Responding to the controversy, Sarathkumar clarified that the substance was not illegal but a medicine tablet that he had crushed so it could be administered to his unwell child. However, the DMK maintained that the video had created public suspicion and continued to press for action, while police ended the protest and took several demonstrators into custody.