Propriety in public discourse: On Udhayanidhi Stalin’s double entendre remarks

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Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with leaders of the party’s alliance partners, stage a protest against the Mekedatu Dam construction project, in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu on August 3, 2026. | Photo Credit: R. Vengadesh

Public discourse is distinguished by some rules and codified conduct. While humour is a definite tool for wooing audiences, vulgarity should be afforded no place in interactions in a public forum. The remarks that Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin made on Monday (August 3, 2026), the video of which is now viral, sit squarely in the latter quarter.

Addressing a public meeting, Mr. Udhayanidhi’s double entendre remarks were made in response to the crowd mentioning an actor’s name in response to a comment on what was important to Chief Minister Joseph Vijay. Addressing a protest gathering at Thanjavur on the Cauvery dispute, the LoP took a swipe at the Chief Minister, charging that while Tamil Nadu had not got a drop of water, Mr. Vijay remained unconcerned.

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