Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Stalin Responds to Vijay’s Jaw Gesture, Recalls Emergency Prison Abuse
A disagreement began after Vijay made a hand gesture near his jaw during a speech in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
DMK leaders said the gesture seemed to mock Stalin’s past injuries.
Vijay said the movement happened accidentally and was not meant as an insult.
Stalin said he was arrested in 1976 during the Emergency.
He said police held him under a law called MISA after the DMK government was dismissed.
Stalin described crowded prison conditions, beatings and being unable to sleep.
He said his jaw was broken and that a colleague, Chitti Babu, died in prison.
Stalin also rejected Vijay’s corruption accusations against the DMK.
He asked Vijay to focus on governing, welfare, development and Tamil Nadu’s rights.
M. K. Stalin said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s jaw gesture during the September 7 Assembly session was inappropriate and recalled injuries he said he suffered in prison.
Stalin said he was arrested under the MISA in 1976 after the Union government dismissed the DMK government led by M. Karunanidhi.
He described overcrowded prison conditions, sleep deprivation, beatings and the death of colleague Chitti Babu in custody.
Vijay said his jaw-related body language was accidental, involuntary and not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Stalin rejected Vijay’s corruption allegations, criticized the state government’s performance and urged him to focus on governance and Tamil Nadu’s rights.
- Who
- DMK president M. K. Stalin and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay; DMK leaders and Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary P. Shanmugam also commented.
- What
- A political dispute over Vijay’s jaw gesture and allegations against the DMK, followed by Stalin’s account of his Emergency-era arrest, imprisonment and injuries.
- When
- Vijay made the gesture during his September 7 Assembly speech; Stalin responded two days later on Thursday.
- Where
- The dispute arose in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, while Stalin’s account concerned his imprisonment in Chennai during the Emergency.
- Why
- DMK leaders interpreted the gesture as mocking Stalin’s reported prison injury, while Vijay said it was accidental; Stalin also responded to Vijay’s corruption allegations.
Stalin and DMK View
Vijay’s Explanation and Claims
Meaning of the jaw gesture
Stalin and DMK View
Stalin and DMK leaders said the gesture was inappropriate and appeared to mock Stalin’s history of being beaten and suffering a jaw injury in prison.
Vijay’s Explanation and Claims
Vijay said the gesture was an accidental, involuntary and spontaneous expression that was not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Corruption allegations
Stalin and DMK View
Stalin rejected Vijay’s allegations involving the Sarkaria Commission, party funds and Enforcement Directorate cases, describing them as politically motivated and unsubstantiated.
Vijay’s Explanation and Claims
Vijay cited the Sarkaria Commission and alleged corruption involving the DMK, including claims concerning party funds and Enforcement Directorate references.
Government priorities and performance
Stalin and DMK View
Stalin urged Vijay to focus on law and order, welfare, development and Tamil Nadu’s rights, while alleging failures involving policing, the Parandur airport project, farmers’ loan waivers and LPG promises.
Vijay’s Explanation and Claims
Vijay defended measures to strengthen law and order, including filling police vacancies and allowing the force to work without political interference, and urged restraint in political criticism.
- Gesture
- Vijay held or pointed toward his jaw during a September 7 Assembly speech.
- Vijay’s explanation
- He described the body language as accidental, involuntary and not intended to hurt anyone personally.
- MISA arrest
- Stalin said he was arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act in 1976 after the DMK government was dismissed on January 31.
- Prison conditions
- Stalin described ten people being held in a small room, association with leprosy patients, sleep deprivation and beatings.
- Injuries and death
- Stalin said his jawbone was broken during assaults and that Chitti Babu died in prison after beatings.
- Political allegations
- Stalin called Vijay’s Sarkaria Commission-based corruption claims politically motivated and criticized the use of Enforcement Directorate cases as evidence against the DMK.
- Government issues
- Stalin criticized the government’s positions on law and order, the Parandur airport project, farmers’ loan waivers and LPG-cylinder promises.
