A Tamil orator, who allegedly made provocative remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah last week, was taken into custody late Wednesday night, police said. Nellai Kannan was whisked away by a police team in Perambalur district in connection with complaints against him by the BJP and the ruling AIADMK.

The move comes hours after top Tamil Nadu BJP leaders staged a demonstration near Gandhi statue point on the Marina beach front in Chennai, demanding his arrest over the remarks. The BJP had also petitioned Governor Banwarilal Purohit seeking ...