Archive · 18 Aug 2026
DMK Slams Vijay, Trisha Over Salute At Independence Day Event
On India's Independence Day, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, whose name is Vijay, went to a big celebration at a very old fort called Fort St George.
An actress named Trisha Krishnan also came to the celebration and sat in the front row.
People say Trisha and Vijay are very close friends, and some even say she is his girlfriend.
When the Chief Minister walked past her, Trisha gave him a salute, and he saluted her back.
A political party called the DMK, which is the opposition, did not like this at all.
They wrote an article in their own newspaper called Murasoli saying the Chief Minister was behaving badly.
They said it is not dignified for a Chief Minister to make an actress sit in the front row and salute her at an official national event.
The DMK also said that even people who voted for Vijay could not accept what happened.
Vijay's own party, the TVK, has not said anything about the criticism yet.
So this story is about people arguing over how a leader should behave at an important national celebration.
DMK's Murasoli editorial criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and actor Trisha Krishnan for exchanging salutes at the 80th Independence Day event at Fort St George.
The editorial questioned Trisha's front-row seating, which placed her beside Vijay's parents, SA Chandrasekhar and Shobha Chandrasekhar.
The editorial called the scene 'vulgar' and claimed even Vijay's fans and TVK voters could not accept it.
Vijay's party, the TVK, has yet to respond to the criticism.
Trisha had earlier attended Vijay's oath-taking ceremony in May.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, actor Trisha Krishnan, and the opposition DMK party, which criticized them in its Murasoli editorial.
- What
- The DMK criticized Vijay and Trisha for exchanging salutes and for Trisha's front-row seat at the official Independence Day event, calling the display vulgar and undignified.
- When
- At the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Fort St George; the Murasoli editorial was published the same day.
- Where
- Fort St George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The DMK said the interaction and seating arrangement diminished the dignity of the Chief Minister's office at an official national ceremony, and questioned whether Vijay's popularity would last.
DMK (Opposition) Perspective
TVK / Government Perspective
Actor's seating and salute at official event
DMK (Opposition) Perspective
The Murasoli editorial called the front-row seating and mutual salute 'vulgarity and disgust' that stripped the Chief Minister of dignity, claiming even Vijay's fans and TVK voters could not accept it.
TVK / Government Perspective
The TVK has yet to respond; Vijay's Independence Day speech thanked citizens for the chance to hoist the flag and focused on anti-corruption duties, without addressing the criticism.
Vijay's popularity and leadership
DMK (Opposition) Perspective
The editorial claimed that within three months Vijay has become 'scared' about whether his popularity will last and whether he will remain in office, pointing to his plea for people to stay with him and the government.
TVK / Government Perspective
Vijay urged people to remain with him and the government so he can implement good schemes for them, presenting his remarks as a call for continued partnership rather than fear.
Divorce allegations context
DMK (Opposition) Perspective
Vijay's wife Sangkeetha, who recently withdrew her divorce plea, had earlier alleged an extra-marital affair, mental cruelty, and neglect by him.
TVK / Government Perspective
Vijay referred to the development as 'worthless' in a public meeting.
- Event
- 80th Independence Day celebration
- Location
- Fort St George, Chennai
- Chief Minister
- Vijay
- Actor
- Trisha Krishnan
- Critic
- DMK via its official mouthpiece Murasoli
- Seating
- Front row beside Vijay's parents, SA Chandrasekhar and Shobha Chandrasekhar
- Attire
- Yellow saree with green blouse
- TVK response
- Yet to respond