Communist Party of India (Marxist) Tamil Nadu state secretary P. Shanmugam has criticised Chief Minister Joseph Vijay over remarks he made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, calling the alleged mocking of a person’s physical appearance “irresponsible”, as reported in Dinamani.
In a post on X, Shanmugam said Vijay’s reply to the debate on the Police and Home Department demands failed to address the questions raised by legislators on law and order and policing.
He alleged that instead of addressing public issues, Vijay’s speech was dominated by accusations targeting the Opposition.
“But in this ‘reply’, there was no answer to any of the questions raised by the members regarding law and order, police, etc. Instead of speaking about people’s issues, it was filled entirely with a series of allegations targeting the Opposition,” Shanmugam said.
Shanmugam Questions Reliance On ED Allegations
Shanmugam also objected to the use of Enforcement Directorate allegations as evidence of corruption.
He argued that with central investigative agencies operating under the influence of the Union government, allegations made by the ED should not automatically be treated as established facts.
He cited the arrest and imprisonment of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and referred to the cases involving Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
“Therefore, presenting the allegations of the Enforcement Directorate as evidence is not appropriate,” he said.
‘Mocking Physical Appearance Is Condemnable’
Shanmugam’s strongest criticism was directed at Vijay’s alleged remarks concerning physical appearance.
Referring to the Emergency period, he said democratic movements and the repression that followed were part of India’s documented history. He also recalled the alleged assault on former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin while he was in police custody during the Emergency.
“But during the Emergency period, former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was severely assaulted by the police and his jaw was broken. Whoever speaks in a manner that mocks physical appearance, it is condemnable. For the Chief Minister himself to have done it is an irresponsible act,” Shanmugam said.
Assembly Should Not Become Platform For Personal Attacks
Shanmugam also criticised the manner in which Assembly proceedings were being conducted.
He said the legislature should not be turned into a platform for personal attacks or praise of political leaders instead of addressing issues affecting the public.
“Turning the Legislative Assembly into a place for personal attacks that do not help public welfare even to the slightest extent, or into a place to praise their leader, is completely unethical,” he said.
Shanmugam said there was no objection to strong political criticism as long as it remained civil and was made outside the Assembly.
He added that Assembly time was funded by taxpayers, including poor and ordinary people, and should therefore be used for issues concerning their welfare.
“But wasting time in the Legislative Assembly, which is conducted with the taxpayers’ money received from the people of Tamil Nadu, including the poor and ordinary people, instead of using it for public welfare is unacceptable, whoever does it,” he said.
தமிழ்நாடு சட்டமன்றத்தில் இன்று காவல்துறை மானிய கோரிக்கையின் மீது நடைபெற்ற விவாதத்திற்கு மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் அவர்கள் பதிலுரை வழங்கினார். ஆனால் சட்டம் ஒழுங்கு, காவல்துறை உள்ளிட்ட உறுப்பினர்கள் எழுப்பிய எந்த கேள்விக்கும் இந்த ‘பதிலுரையில்’ எந்த பதிலும் இடம் பெறவில்லை.
மக்கள்… pic.twitter.com/0quT9uR8Al
— Shanmugam P (@Shanmugamcpim) September 7, 2026
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