Tamil Nadu Assembly: DMK MLAs evicted after sit-in protest demanding expunction of CM Vijay’s remarks on Sarkaria Commission, MISA

Tamil Nadu Assembly: DMK MLAs evicted after sit-in protest over CM Vijay’s remarks on Sarkaria Commission, MISA DMK MLAs were evicted from the Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai on September 8, 2026, after staging a sit-in protest demanding the removal of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s remarks referencing the Sarkaria Commission, the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), and allegations of corruption against the previous DMK government. The Speaker, J.C.D. Prabhakar, directed the watch and ward staff to remove the MLAs from the House following the protest. The controversy stemmed from Vijay’s speech on September 7, during which he cited an Enforcement Directorate (ED) document alleging that contractors paid 7.5–10% of contract values as “party funds” under the previous DMK administration. He also referenced the Sarkaria Commission report regarding the Veeranam water scheme and mentioned the arrest of former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin under MISA. These remarks sparked immediate objection from DMK Whip E.V. Velu, who argued that Vijay had violated Assembly rules by bringing up matters unrelated to his portfolio and referencing individuals not present in the House. Velu accused Vijay of making false claims about the DMK’s finances and criticized the mention of late Murasoli Maran, a prominent DMK leader. He stated that the reference to MISA was inappropriate given its repeal in 1978 and highlighted the injustice faced by M.K. Stalin, who was arrested shortly after his wedding. Velu further emphasized that the Chief Minister’s speech went beyond permissible boundaries and failed to adhere to the Assembly’s procedural norms. Speaker Prabhakar maintained that Vijay had followed the rules, citing that the ED documents were publicly available and that the references to the Sarkaria Commission and MISA were part of ongoing discussions. He noted that Vijay had completed his speech despite the protests and that the House had proceeded according to established procedures. However, the DMK MLAs remained steadfast in their demand for the removal of the remarks from the record. During the ensuing confrontation, the DMK MLAs gathered around the Speaker’s podium, chanting slogans and refusing to vacate the chamber. Despite attempts by the Speaker to persuade them to return to their seats, the situation escalated. The Speaker then instructed the House marshals to evict the protesters. Most MLAs left the Hall, though some, including Valparai MLA Kutti alias Sudhakar, resisted and caused a commotion before being escorted out. Leader of the House K.A. Sengottaiyan called for disciplinary action against the protesting legislators, stating that the Speaker’s decision was final and that the MLAs had disregarded his instructions. Meanwhile, state Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar supported Vijay’s statements, asserting that they were based on credible ED documents and prior discussions within the Assembly. The incident drew attention to broader tensions surrounding the handling of historical allegations against the DMK, with critics accusing the current government of revisiting past controversies. Some sources indicated that CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam had expressed dissent over Vijay’s remarks due to a perceived misunderstanding. As the Assembly resumed its proceedings, the episode underscored the challenges of maintaining decorum in a politically charged environment. The Speaker reaffirmed the importance of upholding the dignity of the House, noting that global observers were monitoring the proceedings. The situation remains unresolved, with the focus now on the implications of the eviction and the potential fallout for the political parties involved.