Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Clarifies Assembly Gesture Amidst Row

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay issued a clarification on September 8, 2026, stating that a gesture made during his speech in the State Assembly the previous day was unintentional and spontaneous. The controversy arose during Vijay's reply to the police department's demands on September 7, when he made a gesture involving his jaw. Opposition parties, notably the DMK, accused the Chief Minister of mocking DMK president M.K. Stalin, who has spoken publicly about suffering a jaw injury during his detention under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency period. In a statement posted on X, Vijay explained that the body language displayed during his response was an "involuntary expression" and did not carry any ulterior motive or personal intention to hurt anyone. He appealed for his gesture not to be misinterpreted as a deliberate act intended to cause personal offense. The Chief Minister's clarification came after criticism from leaders of various political parties, including the Communist parties, who condemned what they described as personal attacks and bodyshaming.