Political Fallout Intensifies as Opposition Lawmaker Faces Defamation Charges

The arrest of DMK MLA G.V. Markandeyan on defamation charges has heightened the political standoff in Tamil Nadu. Accused of delivering false and provocative statements about Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay during a rally in Kovilpatti, the lawmaker was taken into police custody, interrogated for over ten hours, and later remanded for fifteen days. After being transferred to Palayamkottai Central Prison, Markandeyan filed a bail petition that the court accepted for a hearing on Wednesday. The opposition claims the ruling party is using criminal cases to silence critics, while the government maintains that the law applies equally to everyone.