Tamil Nadu. The ongoing political controversy in Tamil Nadu surrounding Chief Minister Vijay has now led to police action. Separate cases have been registered against senior DMK leaders A. Raja and P.K. Sekar Babu, as well as DMK MLA Vasantham Karthikeyan, for allegedly making objectionable and defamatory remarks during party protests. Police officials confirmed the development on Tuesday.
According to police, the cases were registered based on complaints filed at various police stations over remarks allegedly made during protests held on September 12.
A case has been registered against P.K. Sekar Babu, DMK Chennai East district secretary and MLA from the Harbour constituency, at the B1 North Beach police station. He has been accused of making derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Vijay during a party protest.
Meanwhile, the Saidapet police registered a case against DMK leader A. Raja following a complaint filed by TVK office-bearer Karthik. Raja is alleged to have made objectionable remarks concerning Energy Resources and Law Minister R.N. Nirmal Kumar during the protest. Earlier, Raja had challenged the ruling TVK, saying that if there were objections to his remarks, a case should be registered against him.
A. Raja had also claimed that Congress and BJP leaders had acknowledged the contributions of DMK President M.K. Stalin and his arrest under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency.
In a related development, Kallakurichi police registered a case against Vasantham Karthikeyan, the DMK MLA from Rishivandiyam. He has been accused of making objectionable remarks against Chief Minister Vijay.
Controversy Began Over MISA Remarks
The controversy began following remarks made by Chief Minister Vijay in the Legislative Assembly. The DMK subsequently staged protests across the state in opposition to his statements. While levelling corruption allegations against M.K. Stalin, Vijay also referred to his alleged arrest under MISA during the Emergency. DMK members immediately objected to a gesture made by Vijay in the Assembly.
Later, Energy and Law Minister R.N. Nirmal Kumar supported Vijay's remarks in the Assembly and questioned the claim that Stalin had been arrested under MISA during the 1975–77 Emergency.
Nirmal Kumar said there was no official detention order available to establish that Stalin had been detained under MISA. He questioned where the official detention order was if Stalin had indeed been arrested under the law. The minister alleged that the DMK was attempting to portray Stalin as a political martyr by using the issue for political gain.
