TVK minister faces storm over viral 'drug' video from IPL, he says it was medicine

Tamil Nadu Human Resources Minister D Sarath Kumar found himself at the centre of a political storm on Friday after an old video showing him handling a powder-like substance during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match went viral on social media, triggering allegations that the substance could be narcotics.

The video, widely circulated online, shows the minister handling a powder-like substance spread on the screen of a smartphone using an ATM card and a Rs 500 note. The clip sparked a wave of criticism, with several social media users demanding his resignation.

Responding to the controversy, Sarath Kumar released a two-minute video statement alongside his wife and daughter, strongly denying the allegations and asserting that the substance in question was merely a crushed tablet intended for his child.

"This morning I attended an anti-drug campaign event. Since then, a false narrative using an old video of mine is being spread, claiming that I was doing drugs," the minister said.

Explaining the incident, Sarath Kumar said the video was recorded about two years ago when he had gone to watch an IPL match at Chennai's M A Chidambaram Stadium with his family and friends.

"My daughter needed to take medicine, but she could not swallow the tablet whole. My wife asked me to crush it so it could be mixed with water and given to her. That is exactly what I was doing," he said.

The minister said the allegations had caused him and his family considerable distress and urged people not to spread what he described as false claims.

"With such tight police security inside the stadium, surrounded by my family and a large crowd, it is unfair to make such allegations," he added.

The controversy erupted on the same day that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay participated in a marathon campaign urging people to stay away from drugs and embrace sports.

Sarath Kumar, a first-time MLA from Tambaram on the outskirts of Chennai, was inducted as a minister in the TVK government last month.

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