Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Vijay Faces Criticism Over Jaw Gesture and Emergency Remarks
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay made a gesture near his jaw while talking about arrests during India’s Emergency.
Some people thought he was referring to M K Stalin, whose jaw was reportedly fractured after his arrest in 1976.
DMK leaders said the gesture was insulting and made light of painful history.
A leader from the CPM, which supports Vijay’s government from outside, also criticised him.
Vijay has not responded to the criticism so far.
A TVK spokesperson said the gesture was not meant as body-shaming.
The debate also included older corruption allegations involving the DMK and the Sarkaria Commission.
The Speaker decided that Vijay’s remarks should remain in the assembly record.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was criticised over a jaw-related gesture made while discussing MISA arrests during an assembly debate.
Opponents interpreted the gesture as referring to M K Stalin’s fractured jaw after his 1976 arrest during the Emergency.
DMK MP Kanimozhi accused Vijay of trivialising the Emergency and mocking legislative criticism rather than answering questions.
CPM state secretary Shanmugam also condemned the gesture, while TVK spokesperson Sathyakumar denied that it amounted to body-shaming.
The dispute expanded to Vijay’s remarks about the Sarkaria Commission, Murasoli Maran and allegations involving DMK funds, which the Speaker declined to expunge.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, DMK leaders including M K Stalin and Kanimozhi, CPM state secretary Shanmugam, and TVK representatives.
- What
- A political dispute followed Vijay’s jaw gesture and his remarks about MISA arrests, the Emergency and allegations involving the DMK.
- When
- During an assembly debate on the government’s demand for grants; the article does not give a date.
- Where
- The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
- Why
- Critics said the gesture referred to M K Stalin’s alleged custodial assault and trivialised Emergency-era arrests; Vijay’s allies defended or disputed that interpretation.
Critics of Vijay
Vijay’s Defenders
Meaning of the jaw gesture
Critics of Vijay
DMK and CPM critics interpreted the gesture as a reference to M K Stalin’s fractured jaw after his arrest and called it irresponsible body-shaming.
Vijay’s Defenders
TVK spokesperson Sathyakumar said it was only a gesture and did not constitute body-shaming.
Treatment of Emergency history
Critics of Vijay
Kanimozhi and Shanmugam said Vijay’s comments trivialised the Emergency, MISA arrests and the suffering of people who were jailed.
Vijay’s Defenders
Law Minister Nirmal Kumar argued that arrests during the Emergency involved different alleged offences and that not all could be treated as MISA arrests.
Whether remarks should remain in the record
Critics of Vijay
The DMK asked the Speaker to expunge remarks about the Sarkaria Commission, Murasoli Maran and allegations concerning the party, citing assembly conventions.
Vijay’s Defenders
The Speaker said the remarks could remain because the Sarkaria Commission and MISA arrests had been discussed previously or were historical facts, while the Enforcement Directorate allegations were already public.
- Central figure
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay
- Gesture
- Vijay moved his hand around his jaw while discussing repeated references to MISA arrests.
- Historical reference
- M K Stalin was arrested in 1976 during the Emergency and was allegedly assaulted in police custody.
- Main criticism
- DMK and CPM figures accused Vijay of body-shaming Stalin and trivialising the Emergency.
- Defence
- TVK spokesperson Sathyakumar said the gesture was not body-shaming.
- Additional dispute
- The assembly debate also covered the Sarkaria Commission, Murasoli Maran and allegations concerning DMK funds.
- Speaker’s decision
- The Speaker declined the DMK’s request to expunge Vijay’s remarks.