‘Even Today, Scars Remain’: MK Stalin Mimics Vijay In Response To Jaw Gesture, Recalls Emergency Horror

Last Updated:September 10, 2026, 07:58 IST

Recalling the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, or MISA, horror during the period of emergency (1975-1977), Stalin said that he was “tortured in jail”

DMK chief MK Stalin (File image: PTI)

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin on Thursday responded to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s jaw gesture, which was widely interpreted as a veiled jab at the former chief minister’s broken jaw.

Recalling the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, or MISA, horror during the period of emergency (1975-1977), Stalin said that he was “tortured in jail” and faced “severe police brutality”.

“Yes. My jaw was broken in jail”, he said in a video message posted on X. Mimicking CM Vijay’s gesture, he continued, “Even today, the scars remain”.

“History remains unchanged. you have just repeated the false accusations done throughout history”, he said, targeting Vijay.

The controversy stems from Vijay’s reply to the debate on demands for grants for the police department in the Assembly Monday, September 7. Targeting the DMK, the Chief Minister invoked the party’s frequent mentions of the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) from the Emergency era.

During the reply, he placed the palm of his right hand near his jaw , a gesture that was interpreted at a purported mockery of Stalin’s jaw injury sustained during his imprisonment during emergency.

However, Vijay said his gesture was not intentional.

“My body language, which inadvertently came across in between, was not in any way intentional. It was purely spontaneous and carried no ulterior motive. I requested that it should not be interpreted as an act intended to hurt anyone’s feelings on a personal level”, he wrote in a post on X.

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Why did MK Stalin mimic CM Vijay’s jaw gesture on September 10, 2026?

MK Stalin mimicked CM Vijay’s jaw gesture in response to what he interpreted as a veiled jab at his broken jaw, sustained during his imprisonment under MISA in 1975-1977. Stalin stated that he was “tortured in jail” and faced “severe police brutality,” confirming his jaw was broken.

What was the controversy surrounding CM Vijay’s jaw gesture in the Tamil Nadu Assembly?

CM Vijay’s jaw gesture during a debate on grants for the police department on September 7, 2026, was widely interpreted as mocking MK Stalin’s jaw injury from the Emergency era. Vijay, however, clarified that his body language was unintentional and not meant to hurt anyone’s feelings.

What was the MISA law and how did it affect MK Stalin?

The Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) was implemented during the Emergency period (1975-1977), allowing for the detention of political opponents without trial. MK Stalin was arrested under MISA in January 1976, during which he was severely beaten in jail, resulting in a broken jaw.

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Meemansa ShekhawatSub-editor

A Journalism graduate, Meemansa Shekhawat is a sub-editor at News18. Driven by a keen interest in news, she is a passionate writer with specialisation in national and international affairs. You can re…Read More

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