CM Vijay Explains ‘Broken Jaw’ Gesture In Tamil Nadu Assembly: ‘Purely Spontaneous’

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has clarified his viral “broken jaw” gesture in the state Assembly, saying the body language was spontaneous and was not intended to mock or offend DMK chief MK Stalin.

Vijay came under fire after appearing to touch his jaw while speaking in the Assembly on Monday. The gesture was widely interpreted as a reference to Stalin’s reported broken jaw, prompting accusations that the Chief Minister had mocked the DMK leader’s physical appearance.

Addressing the controversy on Tuesday, Vijay said the gesture had no ulterior motive.

“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,” Vijay wrote on X.

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

Vijay Faces Criticism Over Assembly Gesture

The clarification came after CPI(M) leader P Shanmugam condemned the gesture and accused Vijay of “body-shaming” Stalin.

Shanmugam said the Assembly should not be used for personal attacks and recalled the Emergency-era repression, including the assault on Stalin when he was detained 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 Steps Up Attack On DMK

The controversy erupted during an aggressive speech by Vijay targeting the DMK and its previous governments.

The Chief Minister levelled corruption allegations against the former DMK regime, citing an Enforcement Directorate document and the Justice Sarkaria Commission report of 1976. He claimed the report had recorded instances in which “party funds” were allegedly sought in connection with government contracts.

Vijay argued that the allegations reflected a pattern that continued into the present day and took aim at the DMK’s “Mr Clean” image. He also said records relating to past corruption could be found in the Assembly library.

“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 political comments targeting women and referred to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the controversial 1989 Assembly incident.

The DMK rejected his allegations and questioned the evidence behind his claims. Its members also staged a walkout from the Assembly amid the escalating political confrontation.