Justice Markandey Katju on Corruption, Political Intolerance, and Media Repression under the DMK Regime
Justice Markandey Katju critiques the arrest of YouTuber Savukku Shankar, alleging corruption, political intolerance, and the erosion of free speech in Tamil Nadu.
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| Savukku Shankar |
The arrest of Savukku Shankar
By Justice Markandey Katju
There is a lot of corruption in India, but nowadays Tamil Nadu takes the cake. It can claim the distinction of being the state where nothing moves without corruption, being ruled by a family which is probably the most corrupt in India ( details given in the link below ) :
Justice Katju’s Allegations Against DMK and the Karunanidhi Family
This is a far cry from the days when Tamilnadu under its Chief Minister Kamaraj, was described by former Prime Minister Nehru as the best administered state in India, Kamaraj himself being an epitome of integrity.
The ruling neo-fascist DMK regime in Tamil Nadu, which seems unwilling to brook any opposition or criticism of its corruption and other misdeeds, has unleashed a reign of terror in the state, to silence any dissent. Consequently, hardly any media persons dares to speak out against it, fearing terrible repercussions.
Savukku Shankar is a famous, brave and upright YouTuber in Tamil Nadu who has consistently and vociferously attacked the DMK government in the state and exposed its massive corruption. As a result, with state assembly elections in Tamilnadu looming early next year, and with the DMK intensely hostile to, and unwilling to tolerate, any criticism, which may damage its prospects in the coming polls, Savukku has been arrested from his residence on 13th December 2025 on patently fabricated, trumped up, and concocted charges of extortion
As the news of Shankar’s arrest spread, several political leaders and journalists condemned the action.
The main opposition party in the state, the AIADMK, said in a statement that the MK Stalin-led DMK government was unleashing state machinery on journalists and media houses that did not favour them, and demanded his immediate release.
BJP state president Nainar Nagendran condemned the arrest and described the DMK government as fascist and accused it of throttling freedom of expression.
He questioned the arrest of a journalist and treating him like a terrorist, even as individuals accused of grave crimes were roaming free. Nagendran further stated that the DMK government, attempting to bury freedom of expression in Tamil Nadu, would eventually collapse due to its fascist tendencies.
Even Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, whose party is a DMK ally, termed the arrest blatant harassment despite his disagreement with Shankar’s views.
Senior journalist RK Radhakrishnan condemned the arrest in an X post. “I condemn the arrest of my friend and journalist Savukku Shankar. I hope better sense prevails and CM MK Stalin releases him from this illegal and unwarranted arrest,” he said.
Radhakrishnan added that Shankar might be the journalist or YouTuber who has been arrested the maximum number of times in Tamil Nadu. “That is the extent of the repression unleashed against him. Is he the only big criminal in Tamil Nadu? This is a question I have, and the Tamil Nadu government must answer it.”
When asked whether Shankar’s arrest was illegal, he said, “There are procedures to be followed while making an arrest, but whether it is the BJP, the DMK or even a CPI(M) government, none of them follow these procedures. Courts too rarely question this.”
He added that Shankar was arrested because of his sharp criticism of the government. When asked whether such actions would have electoral repercussions, he said, “There are some police officials who are acting against the DMK government itself, arresting people like Savukku Shankar so that the DMK does not return to power. The DMK government must take note of this.”
I appeal to the entire media in India, as well as the general public, to condemn this vile and detestable act, and demand Savukku's immediate release.
(Justice Katju।s a retired judge of the Supreme Court of। India. These are his personal views)
