Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay on Monday paid tribute to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) founder V. Prabhakaran on the occasion of his death anniversary, drawing national attention and triggering fresh political controversy.
Vijay Pays Tribute To Ex-LTTE Chief Prabhakaran On Death Anniversary https://t.co/7QzgDTc4xN pic.twitter.com/oIHt0qV5jn
— NDTV (@ndtv) May 18, 2026
Marking Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day, Vijay shared a message remembering Sri Lankan Tamils killed during the final phase of the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009.
In a post on X, Vijay referred to Mullivaikkal in Sri Lanka — the site of the final phase of the war where LTTE chief Prabhakaran was killed by the Sri Lankan military.
“We will carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts! We will always stand in solidarity for the rights of our Tamil kin living across the sea!” Vijay wrote.
His remarks quickly went viral on social media and reignited the emotionally charged debate over the LTTE and its legacy in India.
முள்ளிவாய்க்கால் நினைவுகளை இதயத்தில் ஏந்துவோம்! கடல் கடந்து வாழும் நம் தமிழ்ச் சொந்தங்களின் உரிமைகளுக்காக எப்போதும் துணை நிற்போம்!
— TVK Vijay (@TVKVijayHQ) May 18, 2026
Why Vijay’s Remarks Triggered Controversy
The controversy erupted because the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), founded and led by Prabhakaran, remains a banned organisation in India under anti-terror laws.
The LTTE was outlawed after its involvement in the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. Investigations and court rulings had identified Prabhakaran as the mastermind behind the suicide bombing that killed Rajiv Gandhi along with several others during an election rally.
Because of this history, any public tribute or symbolic support linked to Prabhakaran and the LTTE remains politically sensitive and controversial in India.
Supporters Say Tribute Was for Tamil Civilians
Supporters of Vijay defended the TVK chief, arguing that his message was intended to honour the suffering of Sri Lankan Tamils affected during the civil war rather than glorify militancy.
Many Tamil nationalist groups and social media users said Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day is observed globally by Tamils to commemorate civilians who lost their lives during the final phase of the war.
According to supporters, Vijay’s statement reflected emotional solidarity with Tamils across the Palk Strait and highlighted concerns over Tamil rights in Sri Lanka.
Critics Accuse Vijay of Romanticising LTTE Legacy
Critics, however, accused Vijay of indirectly legitimising or softening the image of the LTTE, a group associated with terrorism, assassinations, and violent insurgency.
Political observers said references to Prabhakaran remain highly controversial due to the LTTE’s violent past and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, which continues to carry deep political and emotional significance in India.
The remarks sparked heated debates online, with opponents questioning whether political leaders should publicly invoke the LTTE founder in contemporary politics.
LTTE and the Sri Lankan Civil War
The LTTE fought for decades to establish an independent Tamil homeland in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. During the conflict, the organisation emerged as one of the most feared insurgent groups in South Asia and was accused of multiple terror attacks and suicide bombings.
The Sri Lankan military eventually defeated the LTTE in May 2009 during its final offensive at Mullivaikkal, where Prabhakaran was killed.
Even years after the war ended, Mullivaikkal continues to remain a powerful symbol of grief and remembrance among sections of Tamils worldwide.
Political Impact Ahead of Tamil Nadu Elections
The controversy comes at a crucial time for Vijay, who recently entered active politics and is positioning TVK as a significant force in Tamil Nadu politics.
Political analysts believe the issue could further polarise opinion around the actor-turned-politician as he attempts to consolidate support among Tamil voters while navigating national political sensitivities.
Vijay’s remarks have once again brought the decades-old LTTE debate back into national focus — exposing how the legacy of Prabhakaran and the memories of the Sri Lankan civil war continue to divide public opinion in India.
