Case filed against DMK MP A Raja, 2 MLAs over remarks against Tamil Nadu CM Vijay
The DMK held the protests to condemn Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's remarks in the Assembly about party president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin's detention under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).
Police in Chennai and Kallakurichi have registered cases against three DMK leaders over alleged derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and Law Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar during statewide protests on September 12.
DMK MP A Raja, Harbour MLA PK Sekarbabu and Rishivandhiyam MLA Vasantham K Karthikeyan face separate cases over speeches delivered at the demonstrations.
The DMK organised the protests after Vijay made remarks in the Assembly about party president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin’s detention under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency.
In Chennai, Raja faces allegations of using obscene language and making defamatory statements intended to disturb public peace. The case also includes charges related to promoting hostility between groups on grounds of religion, race or language and disrupting public order.
The case followed remarks by Raja questioning Nirmal Kumar’s paternity. Raja later withdrew the statement after a veiled rebuke from DMK deputy general secretary and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi.
Chennai Police also registered a separate case against Sekarbabu over alleged derogatory remarks targeting Vijay during a protest in the city.
In Kallakurichi, police registered a case against Karthikeyan under four sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Vijay during a demonstration.
WHAT TRIGGERED THE ROW
The row began after Vijay attacked the DMK in the Assembly, accusing the former government of corruption and challenging its “Mr Clean” image.
Citing Enforcement Directorate (ED) documents and the Sarkaria Commission’s findings, Vijay targeted Stalin and his son and former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. He alleged that contractors executing state-funded infrastructure projects had paid kickbacks disguised as party funds.
Vijay also took aim at the DMK’s repeated references to Stalin’s detention under MISA. “If MISA is brought into everything and everyone who has seen MISA is mentioned, we don’t know what to do,” Vijay said.
During his speech, he placed his palm against his jaw, a gesture critics interpreted as mocking the injury Stalin suffered after being assaulted in custody during the Emergency.
Responding in a video message, Stalin urged Vijay to uphold the dignity of the Chief Minister’s office. “Brother Vijay, what you said is true. There is no lie in it,” Stalin said, referring to his imprisonment under MISA.
The Assembly confrontation subsequently spilled onto the streets, with the DMK staging protests across Tamil Nadu on September 12. Speeches made at those demonstrations have now led to cases against Raja, Sekarbabu and Karthikeyan.