Vijay's Assembly Gesture Sparks Political Storm Over Stalin Reference

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is at the center of a political controversy after a gesture he made in the state assembly was widely interpreted as a reference to former Chief Minister MK Stalin's jaw injury. The injury occurred during Stalin's arrest in 1976 under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency.

While responding to the opposition's queries on the government's demand for grants, Vijay spoke about the Emergency and MISA arrests without naming Stalin. He gestured toward his jaw while remarking that his critics repeatedly claim to have seen MISA, questioning what more could be done if they invoked it for every issue.

The opposition and the ruling party's external ally, the CPM, condemned the gesture as body-shaming. CPM state secretary Shanmugam called the action irresponsible, noting that Stalin's jaw was fractured in a police assault during the Emergency. He also advised TVK leaders to study history before making allegations.

DMK MP Kanimozhi launched a sharp attack, accusing Vijay of trivializing a dark chapter in Indian political history. She pointed out that many people, including communist leaders, were jailed during the Emergency and suffered greatly. She further criticized the Chief Minister's approach to legislative debate, stating that mocking opponents does not constitute constructive assembly activity.

The controversy extended beyond the gesture. Vijay also referenced the Sarkaria Commission, which investigated corruption allegations against the DMK government in 1976, and mentioned late Union minister Murasoli Maran. The DMK urged the Speaker to expunge these remarks, citing conventions against discussing matters under court consideration and referencing deceased individuals who cannot defend themselves.

The Speaker declined to expunge the remarks, stating that the Sarkaria Commission and MISA arrests are historical facts and that the ED-related allegations are already in the public domain.

A TVK spokesperson rejected the body-shaming allegations, calling the action a mere gesture. Meanwhile, Law Minister Nirmal Kumar defended the government, arguing that not all arrests during the Emergency were under MISA, as some were for other crimes.

CPM's Shanmugam also questioned Vijay's focus on the Sarkaria Commission, asking why he had not discussed the three files on corruption he previously claimed to possess against the former DMK government, calling the current focus a diversionary tactic.