In Chennai on September 13, DMK Member of Parliament A. Raja withdrew remarks made against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay after widespread criticism from political parties, including members of the DMK‑led alliance.
The controversy erupted during statewide demonstrations organized by the DMK on Saturday against the TVK government. Opponents accused Chief Minister Vijay and Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar of insulting the sacrifices of DMK leaders and those imprisoned during the Emergency.
Senior DMK leaders P.K. Sekar Babu and R.S. Bharathi publicly criticized the Chief Minister during protests in various parts of Tamil Nadu. TVK functionaries and ministers condemned Raja’s comments as personal, offensive and unbecoming of a senior parliamentarian, while leaders of some DMK‑allied parties and the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore also expressed disapproval. A portion of DMK supporters distanced themselves from the remarks on social media.
Amid mounting criticism, Raja announced on X that he was withdrawing his remarks, stating he had no hesitation in taking them back. However, his post retained a combative tone, repeating that he regretted questioning the identity and truth of a leader he said had mocked the sacrifices of a leader born of sacrifice. The episode has intensified the confrontation between the ruling TVK and opposition DMK and reignited calls across party lines for restraint and respect in public discourse.
