TN CM Vijay drops 'VIP' white chair towel after youngster's urge: 'Change is coming'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay may not have initiated any major official reform, but one of his acts this week already showed ample signs that he is ready to bring changes to whatever he deems not right, even if unofficially.

Also read: How India’s chief ministers are reining in VIP culture

On Friday (May 15), the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief brought to an end a long-practised “towel culture” in India’s government offices, something which is often linked to the VIPs. He quietly removed the white towel that draped his chair, and there was no official announcement or optics around it.

Vijay's move comes after teen's request

Interestingly, Vijay’s move came a day after teen climate activist from Manipur, Licypriya Kangujam, urged him to end the “towel culture on VIP chairs in India”. In a post on X, in which she addressed the chief minister as “sir”, the youth said, “People already know that CMs are VIPs in India. This towel culture is being followed by ministers, bureaucrats, and even small officers. You'r a great inspiration, Sir. You can start this change.”

Hello @TVKVijayHQ Sir,
Can we end this towel culture on VIP chairs in India 🇮🇳? People already know that CMs are VIPs in India. This towel culture is being followed by ministers, bureaucrats, and even small officers. You'r a great inspiration, Sir. You can start this change. ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/CB5dS8vHfr

— Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) May 14, 2026

The ‘sarkari sanskaar’ (government reform) followed soon after. Since there was no noise around the actor-politician’s quiet move, people noticed it when comparing photographs taken from two separate official meetings of the CM: one from May 14 showing the towel on the chair and another from the next day, when it was not there.

Also read: Why Vijay's TVK win doesn't mark the end of Dravidian politics in TN

Kangujam also thanked Vijay after he responded in action and said it proves that he is listening to the voices of commoners. Vijay has a major following among youngsters.

Thanks, @TVKVijayHQ Sir. Your action proves that you are listening to the voices of common people. Change is coming, whether we like it or not. 🙏
Before After pic.twitter.com/8Ep5etc03d

— Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) May 15, 2026

A symbolic break from past

Many found Vijay’s action marking a symbolic break from a bureaucratic practice that dates back to the British colonial times. Chairs draped in white towels are among many other things that make up a typical minister or bureaucrat’s room in India’s power corridors, the others being steel cupboards, stacked files, and a humming fan, among others.

Some say the towel has practical purpose

However, not all were convinced. Some netizens told Kanjugam after her initial appeal to Vijay that the towel has a practical use, which is to keep the chairs clean from stains and sweat of the occupant. It is easier to wash the towel and replace it instead of the chair or the seat, which is also made of leather at times.

Also read: Can TN's new actor-CM Vijay turn euphoria into governance? | AI With Sanket

As a tradition which originated during the British rule, when air-conditioned offices were not in practice, brutal summers would mean officers sweating profusely after travel and their dresses becoming dusty, and the towel would protect the chair. However, with time, the towel became a symbol of power, and Vijay’s action sought to dismantle that to show his pro-people face, after the care he took to ensure that his convoy’s travel didn’t inconvenience the public.