Tamil Nadu CM Vijay’s MISA Gesture Sparks Row With Stalin As Tamil Nadu Politics Heats Up

A hand gesture by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay during an Assembly proceeding has triggered a political controversy, with former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin revisiting his experience of detention under MISA during the Emergency in 1976. Vijay’s gesture while referring to MISA was widely interpreted as a reference to the jaw injury Stalin suffered during his custody. Stalin later recounted the incident and his experience in detention. Vijay subsequently clarified that the gesture was involuntary and unintentional. The controversy has continued, with DMK leaders criticising Vijay and VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan also questioning the gesture. The row has now intensified political debate over MISA, Stalin’s past and Vijay’s politics.