Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Clarifies ‘Broken Jaw’ Gesture After Assembly Backlash

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has sought to put the controversy over his viral “broken jaw” gesture in the state Assembly to rest, saying the movement was spontaneous and carried no intention to offend DMK president MK Stalin.

Vijay faced criticism after he touched his jaw while delivering a sharp attack on the DMK during Monday’s Assembly proceedings. The gesture was interpreted by several critics as a jibe at Stalin’s reported jaw injury, leading to allegations that the Chief Minister had resorted to body-shaming.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Vijay said the gesture was inadvertent and asked that it not be viewed as a personal attack.

“I wish to clarify that the body language I displayed inadvertently during my reply to the Police Department’s Demands for Grants in the Legislative Assembly on 7 September 2026 was purely spontaneous and was not intended to convey any ulterior motive whatsoever,” he said.

“Therefore, I sincerely request that it may not be construed as an act intended to hurt or offend anyone personally,” Vijay added.

CPI(M) Leader Condemns Vijay’s Gesture

Vijay’s clarification followed criticism from CPI(M) leader P Shanmugam, who accused the Chief Minister of “body-shaming” Stalin and said personal remarks had no place in the Assembly.

Shanmugam also recalled the Emergency period and the repression faced by political leaders at the time. He referred to the assault on Stalin during his detention under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).

“Ridiculing someone’s physical appearance is condemnable, regardless of who engages in it; for the Chief Minister himself to do so is an act of irresponsibility,” Shanmugam said.

Vijay Targets DMK Over Corruption

The gesture controversy came during a broader political confrontation between Vijay and the DMK.

In his Assembly speech, Vijay accused the previous DMK government of corruption and cited an Enforcement Directorate document as well as the Justice Sarkaria Commission report of 1976.

Vijay claimed the Sarkaria Commission had documented instances of demands for “party funds” linked to the awarding of government contracts. He argued that allegations of corruption against the DMK had continued over the years and questioned the party’s “Mr Clean” image.

“Whenever my friends or I speak, just by mentioning the word ‘corruption’, they (DMK) immediately jump in and ask, ‘give us proof, give us proof.’ But they never mention one thing—have you noticed it? They never say, ‘we have never committed corruption’,” he said.

Vijay also criticised derogatory remarks directed at women and referred to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the 1989 Assembly episode.

The DMK rejected Vijay’s allegations and questioned the evidence behind his claims. Its members later staged a walkout from the Assembly amid the heated exchanges.