Chennai
oi-Prakash KL
The political battle between the DMK and actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has taken another turn, with the DMK now drawing a direct comparison between one of Vijay’s now-famous hand gesture and the traditional salute associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
In a post shared by its IT wing on Wednesday, the DMK placed Vijay’s hand movement alongside the RSS’s Dhwaj Pranam, a customary salute performed during RSS gatherings.
The DMK’s IT wing compared actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party’s hand gesture to the RSS salute, escalating political attacks questioning TVK’s ideology and alleged links to the BJP.
The RSS salute involves standing at attention, placing the right hand on the chest with the palm facing down and slightly bowing the head. By highlighting the similarity, the DMK is attempting to turn what could otherwise be seen as a routine political gesture into a larger ideological argument.
The comparison is part of the DMK’s broader attack on the TVK’s political positioning. The ruling party has repeatedly accused Vijay’s outfit of being the BJP’s “B-team”, suggesting that the emerging party could be indirectly helping the BJP’s political interests in Tamil Nadu.
Vijay and the TVK, however, have sought to project the party as an independent political force. The RSS comparison gives the DMK another opening to question that claim and keep the spotlight on where the TVK stands ideologically.
The timing of the post is also significant. Relations between the DMK and TVK have become increasingly hostile, with both sides taking sharp jabs at each other in political statements, Assembly exchanges and social media posts.
ஆர்.எஸ்.எஸ் பெற்றெடுத்த பிள்ளை விஜய் என அவர் சரியாத்தான் சொல்லி இருக்கிறார்! https://t.co/RdVolQqQuC
— DMK IT WING (@DMKITwing) October 14, 2026
With Vijay preparing to expand his political footprint, seemingly small gestures are now becoming part of the larger political contest. The DMK’s latest post appears aimed at ensuring that the debate over TVK is not just about Vijay’s popularity, but also about the ideology and political forces that may shape the party’s future.
