A video of the Tamil Nadu Human Resources Management Minister D Sarathkumar, which dates back to an Indian Premier League (IPL) match played in India, has made the rounds on social networking sites with claims of him allegedly being involved in dealing with narcotics. This has led to speculation, resulting in the minister issuing an elaborate statement, denying the charges.
Controversial IPL Video Makes Waves
In the video, the minister can be seen crushing something in the form of white powder using an ATM card on the screen of a mobile phone, along with a ₹500 note. It soon came out in public domain, making waves across the social networking sites, where many people have alleged it to be some kind of narcotics.
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Tamil Nadu Minister Clarifies on Drug Charges
In response to the allegation, Sarathkumar issued a video statement along with his wife and daughter, strongly denying it. According to him, it happened around two years ago when he went to watch an IPL match in the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, and what he crushed was not narcotics.
‘I Was Crushing A Tablet For My Child’
According to the minister, his young daughter was unwell during the match and was unable to swallow a tablet. Following medical advice, he crushed the medicine so it could be mixed with water and given to her. Sarathkumar said the resurfaced video has been taken out of context and falsely portrayed as evidence of drug use.
Political Response to the Viral Video
The case has generated reactions from political fronts, too, as opposition figures have raised doubts about the images and demanded more clarity. However, Sarathkumar has stood firm on his grounds that the claims were unfounded and asked people not to spread misinformation via a viral video.
Ongoing Investigation and Debate
There has been no conclusive official investigation into whether the minister was under the influence of drugs. Nevertheless, this case has opened up a broader discussion on the effects of viral videos and the spreading of misinformation without verifying facts.
