Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Narcotics Charges Spark Heated Debate in Tamil Nadu Assembly
In the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the people who run the government and the people who want to be in charge had a big argument.
They were talking about drugs, which are harmful substances that people should not use.
The leader of the opposition said that people from the ruling party were getting arrested for drugs.
A government minister was seen in a video crushing a white powder with a bank card at a cricket game.
He said he was just crushing a medicine tablet for his sick child.
The minister then asked the opposition if they would admit that drugs were sold when they were in charge.
The argument started because two students recently died in fights that may have involved drugs.
The government said it stands with the families of those students.
The speaker of the assembly asked if the opposition had proof for its claims.
Everyone is still arguing about who is responsible for the drug problem.
A heated debate on narcotics broke out in the Tamil Nadu Assembly between ruling TVK and opposition DMK on Monday.
Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin listed charges against the government, including the arrest of ruling party functionaries on drug charges.
Minister D Sharathkumar, seen in a video crushing a white substance with a bank card during an IPL match, said he was powdering a tablet for his sick child.
Speaker J C D Prabhakar asked whether Udhayanidhi Stalin had furnished evidence for his allegations.
The debate was triggered by the recent deaths of two students, Amuthan and Dhanush, in alleged drug-related conflicts.
- Who
- Ruling TVK and opposition DMK leaders in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, including Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister D Sharathkumar, Minister Aadhav Arjuna, DMK leader K N Nehru, and Speaker J C D Prabhakar.
- What
- A heated debate over narcotics use, drug charges against ruling party functionaries, and a minister's conduct at an IPL match.
- When
- Monday
- Where
- Tamil Nadu Assembly, Chennai
- Why
- Triggered by the deaths of two students, Amuthan and Dhanush, in alleged drug-related conflicts and by drug charges against ruling party functionaries.
Opposition DMK's Position
Ruling TVK's Position
Responsibility for Drug Trade
Opposition DMK's Position
DMK points to the arrest of ruling party functionaries on drug charges and says TVK has not taken action against its members, unlike DMK which expelled Jaffar Sadhik when a drug charge was raised against him.
Ruling TVK's Position
TVK asks whether DMK would accept responsibility for the sale of narcotics during its tenure, noting the minister's video incident happened while DMK was in power.
Minister's Conduct at IPL Match
Opposition DMK's Position
DMK questions the behavior of Minister D Sharathkumar, who was caught on video crushing a white substance with a bank card during an IPL match.
Ruling TVK's Position
Sharathkumar says he already explained that he was powdering a tablet to give as medication to his sick child, and there is no need to rake up the issue again.
Evidence and Police Reports
Opposition DMK's Position
DMK says police reports alone should not be taken cognizance of drug-related incidents.
Ruling TVK's Position
Speaker J C D Prabhakar asked whether the opposition leader had furnished evidence for his allegations, and TVK says ministers have already explained the two student deaths.
- Location
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Venue
- Tamil Nadu Assembly
- Ruling Party
- TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam)
- Opposition Party
- DMK
- Leader of Opposition
- Udhayanidhi Stalin
- Minister in Question
- D Sharathkumar, Minister for Human Resources Management
- Trigger
- Deaths of students Amuthan and Dhanush in alleged drug-related conflicts
- Corruption Charge Mentioned
- Rs 888 crore pending in court