Tamil Nadu Deputy Speaker and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA Ravi Shankar kicked and chased away a man who approached him with complaints about drinking water shortages and garbage in his neighbourhood. The video has now gone viral on social media. The incident took place on Sunday night, 8th November.
The man, identified as Karthik Kumar, has said that Ravi Shankar abused and assaulted him when he tried to raise these civic issues. Kumar is a resident of Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu, while Ravi Shankar represents the Thuraiyur constituency.
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
According to Kumar, his neighbourhood has been facing a drinking water shortage for over a week. He also claimed that garbage has been piling up in the area despite repeated complaints to the municipal authorities.
What happened between the MLA and the victim
The incident took place on Diwali in the Manachanallur area of Tiruchirappalli district. Kumar said he had visited the area for personal work when he came across Ravi Shankar, who lives there.
He revealed that he had tried calling the MLA several times to complain about the problems in his ward but received no response. Kumar then approached him in person to raise the issues related to drinking water 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
In the video circulating online, Ravi Shankar can purportedly be seen confronting the man, kicking him and chasing him away. Kumar appeared to be under the influence of alcohol during the incident. He can be heard repeatedly telling the MLA that he had voted for Chief Minister Vijay. Kumar has said that despite this, Ravi Shankar used abusive language and physically assaulted him.
Victim admitted to government hospital
Following the assault, Karthik Kumar was taken to the Manachanallur Government Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
The incident has drawn online attention, particularly because the man approached the MLA to complain about basic civic problems in his neighbourhood, and the MLA physically assaulted him for raising the issue.
