CHENNAI — A video circulating on social media showed Tamil Nadu Minister D Sarath Kumar crushing a white powder on a mobile phone screen with a debit card, alongside a Rs 500 note, during a cricket match. Sarath Kumar shared the video on his Instagram story with the caption 'Thug Life.' A formal complaint regarding the video has since been registered.

Sarath Kumar denied the allegations in a clarification video, stating that the substance shown was medicine he was crushing for his ill child.

DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai criticized the Minister's explanation. "When this video of the minister became public, it was he who came out and said it was him, and he gave an improbable explanation. That improbable explanation has set the cat among the pigeons," Annadurai said. "That explanation alone has raised grave suspicion about possible drug abuse. Why is the TVK government shy of an investigation? A complaint has already been launched. Why are they afraid?"

M A Subramanian, a DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Health Minister, addressed the protest staged by the DMK Students Wing. "We had formally informed the Tamil Nadu government that the protest would be held. Many people from the DMK are also coming to participate in this protest. They believe that the DMK is deliberately trying to put the government under pressure through this issue. For the past month, law and order in Tamil Nadu has deteriorated. Tamil Nadu is witnessing nothing but 'reels governance.' At a cricket ground, a minister was seen crushing a powder in his hand," Subramanian said. "During the previous government, under the leadership of MK Stalin, awareness campaigns against drug abuse were conducted every year. The Chief Minister must answer for this. In the past, the police acted very effectively against drug abuse but now, instead of permitting democratic protests, they are treating protesters like terrorists. This is the second protest by the DMK on this issue. If such provocative incidents continue, the protests will also continue."