Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Stalin Denies Responsibility for DMK Social Media Posts
M.K. Stalin is the leader of the DMK party.
A minister named Aadhav Arjuna filed a defamation case over a social media post by the party’s IT wing.
The post connected Arjuna with a person named John Britto.
Stalin told the Madras High Court that he did not order or approve the post.
He said a party leader should not automatically be blamed for every action by party members.
Stalin also mentioned criminal cases involving Arjuna’s family, as well as a CBI investigation involving Arjuna.
He argued that these matters meant Arjuna could not say his reputation was damaged by the post.
The court petition is Stalin’s response to the defamation case.
M.K. Stalin told the Madras High Court he cannot be held responsible for every post by DMK wings or functionaries.
The petition responds to a defamation case filed by minister Aadhav Arjuna over a DMK IT wing post.
The post linked Arjuna to John Britto, who was described as facing an Enforcement Directorate drug-trafficking case.
Stalin denied instructing or approving the post and said party members’ individual acts should not be attributed to him.
Stalin also cited alleged pending cases involving Arjuna and his family while arguing that Arjuna could not claim reputational damage.
- Who
- DMK president M.K. Stalin and minister Aadhav Arjuna are the main parties; the DMK IT wing and John Britto are also mentioned.
- What
- Stalin petitioned the Madras High Court, denying responsibility for a DMK IT wing social media post cited in Arjuna’s defamation case.
- When
- The petition was filed on Tuesday.
- Where
- The matter is before the Madras High Court in Chennai.
- Why
- Stalin seeks to reject responsibility for the post, saying he neither instructed nor approved it and cannot be blamed for individual acts of party members.
Stalin’s Position
Arjuna’s Defamation Case
Responsibility for party posts
Stalin’s Position
Stalin says he cannot be held responsible for every social media post published by DMK wings or functionaries, despite exercising administrative control over party office-bearers.
Arjuna’s Defamation Case
Arjuna has filed a defamation case over remarks published by the DMK IT wing, seeking accountability for the alleged reputational harm.
Authorization of the post
Stalin’s Position
Stalin denies giving instructions or approval for the post linking Arjuna with John Britto.
Arjuna’s Defamation Case
The defamation proceedings concern the post and its alleged connection of Arjuna with John Britto, although the article does not state Arjuna’s specific response to Stalin’s denial.
Claim of reputational harm
Stalin’s Position
Stalin argues Arjuna could not claim that his reputation was ruined because cases are pending against Arjuna and members of his family.
Arjuna’s Defamation Case
Arjuna’s defamation case asserts that the DMK IT wing’s remarks harmed his reputation.
- Respondent
- M.K. Stalin, DMK president and former chief minister
- Complainant
- Minister Aadhav Arjuna
- Court
- Madras High Court
- Disputed content
- A DMK IT wing post linking Arjuna with John Britto
- Agency mentioned
- Enforcement Directorate
- Stalin’s position
- He denied instructing or approving the post
- Other investigation mentioned
- A CBI investigation involving Arjuna in the Karur stampede case