Tamil Nadu Deputy Speaker and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA Ravishankar has triggered a controversy after a video purportedly showing him kicking and chasing away a man who approached him with complaints about drinking water shortages and garbage accumulation in his neighbourhood went viral on social media, as reported in OpIndia.
The incident reportedly took place on Sunday night, 8 November 2026, in the Manachanallur area of Tiruchirappalli district. The man, identified as Karthik Kumar, has alleged that Ravishankar verbally abused and physically assaulted him when he attempted to bring the civic problems in his locality to the MLA’s attention.
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu – A video circulating widely on social media purportedly captures Tamil Nadu Assembly Deputy Speaker and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA Ravi Shankar assaulting a man in the Manachanallur area of Tiruchirappalli district. The incident reportedly occurred on Diwali night when the man approached him with complaints about civic issues.
— NextMinute News (@nextminutenews7) November 9, 2026
Kumar is a resident of Tiruchirappalli district, while Ravishankar represents the Thuraiyur Assembly constituency.
According to Kumar, his neighbourhood had been facing a drinking water shortage for more than a week. He also alleged that garbage had been accumulating in the locality, with municipal authorities failing to address the problem despite repeated complaints from residents.
Kumar said he had attempted to contact Ravishankar several times over the issues but received no response. He subsequently decided to approach the MLA in person when he came across him in the Manachanallur area, where Ravishankar also resides.
MLA Allegedly Kicks and Chases Away resident
In the video circulating on social media, Ravishankar can purportedly be seen confronting Kumar, kicking him and chasing him away. Kumar has alleged that the MLA used abusive language and physically assaulted him when he attempted to raise the issues of drinking water supply and garbage disposal.
துறையூர் தொகுதி சட்டமன்ற உறுப்பினரும் , துணை சபாநாயகருமான ரவிசங்கர் என்பவரால் கொடுமையாக தாக்கப்பட்டு மருத்துவமனையில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்ட கார்த்திக் குமார் என்பவரின் வாக்குமூலம் !
துறையூர் தொகுதி கண்ணபிரான் காலனியில் ஒருவார காலமாக தண்ணீர் வரவில்லை என்பதை தெரிவிக்க சென்றபோது https://t.co/Iv8CFGobyk
— Mr. வெட்டி (@iam_Vetti) November 9, 2026
During the confrontation, Kumar can reportedly be heard repeatedly telling the MLA that he had voted for Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Despite identifying himself as a voter who had supported the ruling party, Kumar alleged that he was subjected to verbal abuse and physical assault instead of having his grievances heard.
The footage also appears to show Kumar behaving in a manner suggesting that he may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the confrontation.
The video has since been widely circulated, drawing attention to the conduct of the MLA, who holds the constitutional position of Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Following the alleged assault, Karthik Kumar was taken to the Manachanallur Government Hospital for treatment. He is currently undergoing treatment, according to reports.
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