Stalin Hits Back At Vijay Over MISA Remarks, Says Assembly Not Place For ‘Unnecessary Controversies’

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Thursday hit back at Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over his recent remarks on the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), asking the actor-turned-politician not to bring “unnecessary controversies” into the Assembly.

Addressing Vijay as “Thambi [brother] Vijay”, Stalin said his struggle during the Emergency was an integral part of the DMK’s history and could not be erased.

“History can never be changed,” Stalin said in a video posted on X, accusing Vijay of turning the Assembly into a platform for publicity.

“You turned the Assembly itself into a place where reels happen, standing on the bridge we built and doing photoshoots,” Stalin said. He alleged that Vijay was running the government “just like a cinema shooting” and using social media reels to divert attention from what he described as administrative failures.

Stalin’s remarks came two days after Vijay clarified that a hand gesture he made while referring to MISA in the Assembly was “not in any way intentional”. The gesture, in which Vijay placed his hand near his jaw, was widely interpreted as a reference to Stalin’s jaw injury during his detention under MISA in 1976.

‘Police Came To Arrest Me’

Stalin recalled the DMK’s opposition to the Emergency and said the party held a major gathering at Chennai’s Marina Beach in 1976 to protest against the Emergency and MISA.

He said the Union government dismissed the DMK government on January 31, 1976, following which police went to the Gopalapuram residence of his father and former chief minister M Karunanidhi to arrest him under MISA.

Stalin said he was away campaigning when the police arrived.

According to Stalin, Karunanidhi told the police that his son would return the following day and asked them to come back then. When Stalin returned, he said, Karunanidhi himself called the police and asked them to arrest him.

Stalin was subsequently detained under MISA during the Emergency. His imprisonment has remained a significant episode in his political career. Several senior DMK leaders, including Murasoli Maran and Chitti Babu, were also detained and reportedly subjected to custodial violence.

‘My Jaw Was Broken’

Stalin said he was subjected to repeated beatings while in custody and suffered a serious jaw injury.

He also recalled the death of former Madras mayor and DMK leader Chitti Babu, who died after being assaulted in prison. Stalin has previously said Chitti Babu took blows intended for him during their incarceration.

“Due to their beating, my jawbone was broken,” Stalin said, adding that he still has scars from the alleged assaults.

He also referred to Vijay’s hand gesture near his jaw, saying the reference was accurate given his history.

Stalin Says Emergency Struggle Is DMK History

Stalin said his imprisonment was part of the DMK’s broader ideological history dating back to party founder CN Annadurai, popularly known as Perarignar Anna.

“You say you are an ideological leader. From the time of Perarignar Anna, this is the history of the DMK. That I am also part of that history is a matter of pride for me,” he said.

Stalin challenged Vijay to verify the account through official records and study his political history.

Sarkaria Commission Row

Stalin also responded to Vijay’s references to the Sarkaria Commission and allegations of corruption against the Karunanidhi-led DMK government.

Vijay had cited the commission while raising corruption allegations against the DMK and referring to alleged irregularities involving tenders and commissions.

Stalin argued that several governments had changed at both the Centre and in Tamil Nadu since the commission was established and said that action would have been taken if the allegations had sufficient merit.

He accused Vijay of repeating allegations against Karunanidhi out of “political vendetta” and criticised him for citing an Enforcement Directorate letter while making corruption allegations against DMK leaders.

Stalin further alleged that the ED was being used for political vendetta and claimed that most of the cases filed by the agency had not resulted in convictions.

‘Assembly No Place For Unnecessary Controversies’

Stalin said the Tamil Nadu Assembly should focus on issues including law and order, welfare, the state’s rights and development.

“My request is that you should not talk about unnecessary controversies in the Assembly,” he said.

Stalin also recalled Vijay’s visit to his residence after becoming chief minister. He said Vijay had acknowledged that he had made critical remarks against Stalin during the election campaign and apologised for them.

“I said, it’s okay, brother. I don’t keep all that in my heart,” Stalin recalled.

He urged Vijay to remember that he now holds the office of chief minister and should maintain the dignity expected of the position.

“A chief minister’s words and body language should have the dignity of a chief minister. We are the role models for the people. Don’t forget that,” Stalin said.