A political battle is going on between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). On Saturday, September 12, DMK is going to organise a statewide protest against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for his recent comments in the state Assembly on DMK president M.K. Stalin.
The protest was announced by DMK leadership after a heated assembly session where Vijay was seen speaking about Stalin's arrest and treatment during the Emergency under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). Vijay also made a gesture to the crowd during his speech that the protesters had not been able to get away with.
DMK Calls for Statewide Demonstrations
The DMK announced that protests would be organized at all revenue-district headquarters at 10:30 AM on September 12, under the leadership of the respective district secretaries.
The party called on MPs, MLAs, district and state-level functionaries, local representatives and party cadres to participate in the demonstrations. The protests are to condemn what the DMK described as derogatory remarks by Vijay against Stalin and the party’s political legacy.
How the Controversy Started
The dispute dates back to the Tamil Nadu Assembly session on September 7. Vijay criticised the previous DMK government and made references to Stalin’s detention during the Emergency.
DMK strongly objected to the remarks. Party legislators had already staged an uproar inside the Assembly after the Speaker denied Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin an opportunity to respond to allegations raised by the Chief Minister. DMK members entered the Well of the House and later walked out.
Vijay's Gesture Becomes Another Flashpoint
The controversy intensified after Vijay made a gesture involving his jaw while talking about Stalin's past.
DMK leaders interpreted the gesture as an attempt to mock or body-shame Stalin, particularly about the injuries he allegedly suffered during his detention.
Vijay said the gesture was unintentional but it was not intended to hurt anyone, and it was not meant to insult anyone.
Stalin was to respond in public later, describing Vijay’s comments as politically motivated and recalling the physical abuse he said he experienced while imprisoned during the Emergency.
#WATCH | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) protests against the remarks made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay against DMK chief M.K. Stalin in the state assembly. pic.twitter.com/jRY2cfIr0a
— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2026
Tiruchirappalli and Other Districts
The September 12 programme is a statewide DMK agitation instead of just a protest in Tiruchirappalli. Reports have confirmed that the party planned demonstrations across revenue district headquarters.
Tiruchirappalli has nevertheless become a political hotbed in the DMK-TVK conflict. Political leaders have continued to engage in criticism in the city, with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan making comments on September 11.
Political Tensions Rise
The protest is another escalation in the increasingly bitter political battle between the DMK and Vijay's TVK government.
For the DMK, the controversy is about defending Stalin's political history and opposing what it considers crude remarks from the Assembly. And the clash is in the context of a larger political battle over the past DMK administration’s record.
The entire dispute will continue to be a focal point in Tamil Nadu politics with the statewide protests going on in the coming days.
