Tamil Nadu’s political tension between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the DMK grew further in the last few days after police filed cases against senior DMK leaders A. Raja and P.K. Sekar Babu for derogatory and defamatory remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
The cases followed DMK protests organised across Tamil Nadu on September 12 against Vijay's comments during a recent Assembly session. A separate case was also filed against DMK MLA Vasantham Karthikeyan.
What did A. Raja say?
During the DMK protest in Chennai, A. Raja criticised Chief Minister Vijay and replied to comments of the Chief Minister and TVK minister C.T. Nirmal Kumar.
Raja questioned Vijay’s status as an actor and even claimed he was “not a great actor.” His speech also contained comments directed at Nirmal Kumar, which raised a complaint from a TVK functionary.
The police later registered a case against Raja at Saidapet police station. The case involves seven provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which include the unlawful use of obscene language in a public place, insulting behaviour, and actions intended to cause a breach of peace.
Sekar Babu Also Faces Police Case
Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK Harbour MLA P.K. Sekar Babu also faces a case for comments made allegedly during a party protest.
According to reports, the North Beach police registered the case following a complaint that Sekar Babu made derogatory comments about Chief Minister Vijay and state minister C.T. Nirmal Kumar during the September 12 demonstration.
The complaint is on his speech during the protest near Chennai Collectorate. Police are in the process of investigating the allegations.
Political Row Started With Vijay's Assembly Speech
The latest conflict is part of a larger political conflict between Vijay's TVK and the DMK.
Vijay made a reference to the DMK government allegations in an Assembly speech and also discussed the detention of M.K. Stalin during the Emergency under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, or MISA.
A controversial hand gesture made by Vijay during the Assembly session was later criticized by the DMK. Vijay later admitted that the gesture was unintentional. Stalin also publicly attacked the controversy, saying that it was motivated by politics.
A. Raja later expressed regret.
Raja was subsequently criticized by several political leaders, including members of the wider opposition alliance, for his comments.
A DMK leader later said he regretted his comments about Nirmal Kumar. However, after the complaint, the police cases were registered to investigate the comments.
Why the Case Matters
The development adds another layer to the intensifying political tension between DMK and TVK in Tamil Nadu.
With Vijay’s entry into electoral politics already altering the state’s political landscape, clashes between his party and DMK have become more and more personal. The police cases could further escalate things and put the remarks debate in the political press.
At this stage, the allegations remain under police investigation. Registration of a case does not establish guilt, and the accused leaders have not been convicted of any offence.
