Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Clarifies Assembly Gesture, Says It Was “Inadvertent” and Not Meant to Hurt Anyone

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay has clarified the controversy surrounding a gesture he made during his speech in the state Assembly, saying the body language was inadvertent and not intended to hurt or insult anyone personally.

The controversy erupted after Vijay’s September 7 response during the discussion on the Police Department’s grant. While speaking about the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and political events of the Emergency period, Vijay was seen touching his jaw in a particular manner.

The gesture subsequently triggered criticism from opposition leaders, with some alleging that it was a reference to the reported injuries suffered by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin during his detention during the Emergency.

Vijay Issues Clarification

Addressing the controversy, Vijay said his body language occurred spontaneously during his speech and “was not in any way intentional.” He requested that the gesture not be interpreted as an attempt to hurt anyone’s personal feelings.

His clarification came amid heightened political tensions inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly, where DMK legislators had protested over Vijay’s remarks and demanded that portions of his speech be removed from the Assembly records.

DMK Objects to Vijay’s Gesture

The DMK and some Left leaders criticised the gesture, arguing that it could be interpreted as a personal attack on Stalin. The controversy became particularly sensitive because Vijay’s remarks were made while discussing the MISA period and Stalin’s experience during the Emergency.

The political dispute also led to an uproar in the Assembly, with protesting DMK MLAs eventually being removed from the House by marshals after the Speaker rejected their demand.

Political Row Continues

The episode has added another layer to the increasingly sharp political contest between the ruling TVK and the DMK. Vijay has maintained that his gesture had no personal or insulting intention, while opposition leaders continue to question its context.

For now, the Chief Minister’s clarification appears aimed at putting the controversy to rest and shifting the focus back to the issues discussed during the Assembly session.

NewsDesk7.com | Your City. Your News.