DMK leaders defend MK Stalin over MISA arrest controversy

DMK leaders are defending MK Stalin against criticisms regarding his 1976 arrest under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). The controversy follows remarks by TVK leader and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay regarding the nature of Stalin’s detention.

DMK Principal Secretary KN Nehru stated that official government records exist to verify the detention and accused Vijay of using “cinematic dialogues” to divert from legislative questions. Nehru highlighted the severity of the arrest, claiming Stalin underwent torture in custody and suffered a broken jaw, noting that former MP C Chittibabu died while shielding Stalin during the assault.

In a separate instance, Stalin provided differing accounts of the events leading to his arrest. In an interview with Nambi Narayanan, he recalled his father, M. Karunanidhi, informing him of the police visit and advising him to prepare for arrest. In another version, Stalin suggested that his father initially told police he had gone to stage a play to delay the arrest.