Tamil rapper Arivu, who was detained by the Greater Chennai City Police after staging a protest near the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, has clarified that he did not meet Chief Minister Vijay. Arivu was protesting in support of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led movement against irregularities in the NEET examination and the police crackdown on students during the Delhi protests.

Sharing a detailed statement on Instagram on Tuesday, the rapper said he wanted to address the speculation surrounding his visit to the Secretariat after several reports suggested that he had met the Chief Minister. It is to be noted that Arivu had written a campaign song for Vijay ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, held in April.

"On 21 July 2026, at the Secretariat, I met Hon'ble Minister Mr. Aadhav Arjun. During the meeting, I conveyed that the use of violence against protesting students is against the very spirit of democracy. I did not meet the Hon'ble Chief Minister. I wish to clarify this in view of media reports stating otherwise," he wrote.

Arivu also explained the purpose of his protest, saying he had assembled outside the Secretariat to urge both the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government to support students protesting against irregulaties surrounding NEET exam.

"On July 21, 2026 morning, I raised my voice in front of Tamil Nadu Secretariat, urging the Government of India to immediately stop the violence being inflicted on the students protesting in large numbers in Delhi against the NEET examination and the irregularities surrounding it. I also appealed to the Government of Tamil Nadu to extend its support to the protesting students (sic)," he said.

Here's the video:

Calling NEET a source of anxiety for students, Arivu urged the Tamil Nadu government to intensify its efforts to abolish the examination altogether.

"The NEET examination has created fear and uncertainty among students. As a consequence, we have already lost many young lives, and the risk of losing more continues. This situation has the potential to seriously affect the mental well-being of students and the future of our nation. Therefore, as one among the people, I urge the Government of Tamil Nadu to intensify its efforts towards the complete abolition of the NEET examination," he added.

The rapper concluded his statement by expressing solidarity with students protesting across the country.

"I express my wholehearted solidarity with the students across India who are peacefully and democratically protesting against the NEET examination," he wrote.

Arivu was detained on July 21 after he and three others attempted to stage a protest near the Secretariat in Chennai. The protesters raised slogans demanding the abolition of NEET and sought action against the police over the crackdown on students during the march to Parliament in Delhi.

The CJP protesters have been camping at Delhi's Jantar Mantar since June 6, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the irregularities in the NEET examination. Educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been leading an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site, was later detained by the police and shifted to a hospital after his health deteriorated.

One of Tamil music's most prominent independent voices, Arivu is known for songs such as Enjoy Enjaami, Vaathi Raid from Master, Single Pasanga, Neeye Oli, Golden Sparrow, and most recently Thalapathy Kacheri from Jana Nayagan, starring Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay.

- Ends

Published On:

Jul 22, 2026 12:32 IST