New Delhi, June 27, 2026: A massive political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu after an old video featuring the state’s Human Resources Management Minister, D. Sarathkumar, went viral on social media. The footage, which shows the minister arranging a white powder-like substance on a smartphone screen using a debit card, triggered severe backlash and allegations of drug use from opposition parties.
Minister Sarathkumar has strongly rejected the accusations, releasing a video clarification alongside his family. He maintains that the substance was a doctor-prescribed medical tablet that he was crushing for his toddler, who was unwell at the time.
The row has placed the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in a challenging spot, particularly because the video surfaced on the exact day Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched a high-profile, state-wide anti-drug campaign.
Inside the Viral Clip: What the Video Shows
The controversial footage, which originally made rounds as an Instagram story with a “Thug Life” or “Thug Life Moments” caption, appears to have been filmed inside the hospitality box of the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai during an Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match.
In the brief clip, Minister Sarathkumar can be seen:
- Using a plastic debit or ATM card to carefully chop and line up a white, powdery substance.
- Spreading the powder evenly across the flat screen of a mobile phone.
- Holding a folded ₹500 currency note in his other hand.
Because the visual sequence closely mirrors the method traditionally associated with preparing illicit synthetic narcotics for snorting, the video immediately ignited a firestorm online. Social media users and political opponents quickly shared the clip, demanding the immediate resignation of the first-time MLA from Tambaram, who was inducted into the cabinet just last month.
“It Was Paracetamol, Not Narcotics”: The Minister’s Defense
Faced with a rapidly growing political storm, Minister Sarathkumar released a two-minute video statement to clear his name. Flanked by his wife and daughter, the minister expressed deep distress over what he termed a “malicious and politically motivated” misinterpretation of a private family moment.
According to Sarathkumar, the video is roughly two years old, filmed long before he assumed public office, during an IPL match he attended with family and close friends.
The minister questioned the logic of the accusations, pointing out the absurdity of attempting to consume illegal substances in a highly restrictive public setting. “The stadium was packed with thousands of fans, heavily guarded by police security, and I was surrounded by my family. How could anyone possibly use drugs in such an environment? It has been shared selectively to tarnish my reputation,” he added.
His wife also spoke in the clarification video, validating his account and stating that it was their duty to explain the truth behind the misunderstanding to the public. The minister added that he is fully prepared to cooperate with any official inquiry to prove his innocence.
Perfect Timing? The Clash with CM Vijay’s Anti-Drug Marathon
The timing of the video’s resurgence has amplified the political friction in Chennai. The clip began dominating social media feeds on Friday, June 26, 2026—the very morning Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off a massive state marathon under the banner “Pick up sports, give up drugs.”
CM Vijay had just led a public signature campaign aimed at eradicating the drug menace among Tamil Nadu’s youth. The ironical juxtaposition of the Chief Minister spearheading an anti-narcotics movement while his newly appointed cabinet minister faced viral drug allegations gave opposition parties immediate leverage.
Opposition Steps Up Pressure
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and other opposition factions wasted no time in capitalizing on the footage, mounting severe pressure on the TVK leadership.
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice serious concerns, pointing out that the optics of the video leave room for genuine public doubt.
“Chief Minister Vijay is already on a warpath against the drug menace. Isn’t it his duty to clarify the doubt that’s cast upon his minister? The people of Tamil Nadu should not be left in a lingering doubt about the integrity of Mr. Sarath,” Annadurai stated in his post.
The Road Ahead for the TVK Cabinet
As a first-time MLA representing Tambaram, Sarathkumar’s rapid rise to a key ministerial portfolio was seen as a sign of CM Vijay’s trust in a younger political guard. This controversy marks the first major public relations crisis for the nascent TVK administration.
While the minister’s explanation offers a plausible domestic context—crushing pills for stubborn toddlers being a common parental chore—the unfortunate use of a debit card, currency note, and the edgy “Thug Life” aesthetic has created an uphill battle for his public relations team.
Chief Minister VijayChief Minister Vijay has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter. Political analysts suggest that the state government may quiet down the issue by ordering a standard verification or inquiry into the source and authenticity of the video to put public doubts to rest without destabilizing the freshly formed cabinet.