Vijay Drops British-Era ‘VIP Culture’, Removes White Towel Tradition From CM Chair

Climate activist Licypriya Kangujam on Thursday appealed to Tamil Nadu minister Joseph Vijay to put an end to the long-followed “towel culture” seen on VIP chairs in government offices.

Within 24 hours of the appeal, Vijay appeared to act on the suggestion quietly, removing the traditional white towel from his chair without any official announcement or publicity around the move.

In her post on X, Kangujam had urged Vijay to lead by example, arguing that the practice of placing white towels on chairs is widely followed not only by ministers and bureaucrats but even by lower-level officials. She appealed to the Tamil Nadu leader to initiate a symbolic change by discarding the practice.

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

Neither Vijay nor the Tamil Nadu government publicly responded to her post on X. However, photographs released from recent official meetings indicated a visible change.

On May 14, during a review meeting of the Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department held at the Secretariat, images shared by the Chief Minister’s Office showed Vijay seated on a chair covered with the customary white towel.

மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு. ச. ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் தலைமையில் இன்று (14.5.2026) தலைமைச் செயலகத்தில், தொழில், முதலீட்டு ஊக்குவிப்பு மற்றும் வர்த்தகத் துறையின் செயல்பாடுகள் குறித்த ஆய்வுக் கூட்டம் நடைபெற்றது.#CMJosephVijay‌ pic.twitter.com/4MexQK0EQt

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 14, 2026

But in photographs released on Friday from Vijay’s meeting with Mallika Srinivasan, Chairperson and Managing Director of TAFE, and Vice-Chairperson Dr Lakshmi Venu, the towel was noticeably absent from the Chief Minister’s chair.

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தொழில் தொடங்குவதை எளிதாக்குவதற்கான நடவடிக்கைகள் மற்றும் மாநிலத்தின் நிலையான பொருளாதார மற்றும் தொழில் துறை வளர்ச்சிக்கான தொலைநோக்குப் பார்வைக்கு ஆதரவளிப்பது குறித்தும் விரிவாக ஆலோசிக்கப்பட்டது.#CMJosephVijay‌ pic.twitter.com/sV4GiUPkRI

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 15, 2026

The quiet change has now drawn attention online, with many social media users describing it as a symbolic break from a long-standing VIP culture associated with Indian bureaucracy and politics.

Kangujam expressed gratitude to Vijay and said his action proves he is listening to the voices of common people.

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

Vijay took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, a week after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest party in the assembly election. He formed the government with the support of Congress, IUML, CPI(M), CPI and VCK.

White Towels On Chairs In India

The practice of draping white towels over the high-backed chairs of government officials in India is a fascinating relic of colonial history that has morphed into a powerful symbol of bureaucratic hierarchy. Its origins are purely functional, rooted in the late 19th-century British Raj. At the time, officials heavily used Macassar oil to groom their hair. To protect the expensive teak and leather upholstery from permanent grease stains, they used cotton cloths known as “anti-macassars.”

In India’s sweltering climate, these evolved into full-sized white towels, which served a dual purpose: they absorbed sweat, preventing the occupant from sticking to the chair, and were easily replaceable and washable in an era before modern dry cleaning or air conditioning.

As the decades passed, the “towel culture” transitioned from a hygiene necessity to a visual marker of authority.