CHENNAI: A day after delivering what was seen as a jaw-crushing jab on DMK president and former CM M K Stalin, chief minister C Joseph Vijay was on the backfoot on Tuesday after backlash from DMK and the Left parties for a hand gesture he made while referring to Stalin’s arrest under MISA during Emergency.Vijay said his gesture was not meant to mock anyone. “I wish to clarify the body language I displayed … was spontaneous and unintentional. There was no ulterior motive behind it. I request it should not be interpreted as an act to hurt or offend anyone,’’ Vijay said in an X post.Vijay, who was levelling a series of allegations against DMK leaders in the assembly on Monday, brought his palm close to his jaw while referring to the arrest of Stalin during the Emergency. His hand gesture was interpreted as a taunt on injuries suffered by Stalin during his detention. CPM state secretary P Shanmugam was vociferous against Vijay’s gesture.“Stalin suffered a broken jaw due to the brutal assault on him during his arrest under MISA. CM’s action is irresponsible,’’ he said, adding it amounted to body shaming.Former CPM secretary K Balakrishnan and former CPI MP K Subbarayan called Vijay’s action “inappropriate”. The Left parties are supporting the TVK govt without joining the cabinet.DMK leaders too hit hard. “Our leader is the only one in the nation to proudly bear the physical scars of MISA torture. Vijay, who sang songs atop a bus while people were collapsing in Karur, has no idea of Tamil Nadu’s sacrifices,” said DMK legal wing joint secretary I Paranthamen.Vijay made the controversial gesture during a speech that made detailed accusations on DMK leaders M Karunanidhi, Stalin, Murasoli Maran, Udhayanidhi Stalin and others.
