VCK criticises TN CM's 'body language' towards Stalin, seeks withdrawal of MISA remarks

VCK founder and president Thol Thirumavalavan on Thursday criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over his alleged “body language” towards DMK chief M K Stalin in the state Assembly and demanded the withdrawal of Law Minister Nirmal Kumar's remarks on the MISA era.

Thirumavalavan said the Chief Minister's “body language” while replying to the debate on the police grant had drawn severe criticism, with allegations that it mocked Stalin.

“Although the Chief Minister's side has clarified that there was 'no ill intent,' we, on behalf of the VCK, point out that such body language is neither a dignified approach nor aligned with human values,” he said in a social media post on Wednesday.

He said belittling or hurting a person's self-respect under any circumstances was “uncivilized”, and distinguished between political criticism and personal attacks.

“Political criticism directed at an individual is entirely different from personal attacks that wound self-respect,” he said.

Thirumavalavan said such an approach would be unacceptable even when directed at a person lacking educational, economic or political power.

Stressing that respecting elders was among the highest human values, he urged Vijay to exercise greater care over his conduct in the Assembly.

“Therefore, it would be beneficial for a Chief Minister, who holds such a highly dignified and exalted position, to exercise utmost care regarding his body language in the future,” he said.

The VCK leader also demanded the withdrawal of remarks made by Law Minister Nirmal Kumar during the debate on the MISA era.

Referring to the DMK's request that certain portions of the speech be expunged from the House records, Thirumavalavan termed the Minister's MISA-related remarks a “historical error”.

“The repression during the MISA era is well known to the entire nation,” he said, alleging that making a “completely false statement” about Stalin, who had endured the repression, was strongly condemnable.

“We urge the Minister to declare the withdrawal of his remarks,” Thirumavalavan said.