A specially designed three-tier birthday cake reportedly prepared for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has sparked criticism after images of the cake surfaced online, with several social media users alleging that the design placed the Tamil Nadu government’s official emblem beneath a figurine representing the Chief Minister.
இதை முதலமைச்சரின் பிறந்தநாளை முன்னிட்டு கோட்டைக்கு எடுத்துச் சென்றுள்ளனர் என்று தெரிய வருகிறது . இது மிக மிக தவறு . தமிழக அரசாங்கத்தின் லட்சினை முதலமைச்சரின் காலுக்கு கீழே பொருத்தி வடிவமைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது , கடும் கண்டனங்கள் pic.twitter.com/AzdYECex5B
— kishore k swamy 🇮🇳 (@sansbarrier) June 22, 2026
The cake, which was reportedly taken to the Secretariat ahead of Vijay’s birthday celebrations, was later returned after the state government cancelled birthday-related events following the ammonia gas leak incident in Tiruvallur district.
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Images of the cake show a three-tier red-and-orange themed design featuring multiple symbolic elements. The bottom tier prominently displays what appears to be the official emblem of the Government of Tamil Nadu, while the top tier is crowned with a figurine resembling Vijay seated on a chair. The arrangement effectively places the state emblem below the Chief Minister’s feet, making the design inappropriate and disrespectful to a constitutional symbol of the government.
The cake was made by a Chennai-based bakery The Chef House by Sajina Shemze.
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The Tamil Nadu government emblem, which features the iconic gopuram of the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple and serves as the official insignia of the state, is used on government documents, official communications, and state institutions. Placing the emblem in a position that appears subordinate to an individual, even symbolically on a celebratory cake, undermines the dignity associated with the state’s official insignia.
The design can be described as “derogatory” and “insulting” to the government emblem, making one wonder how such a cake was approved and taken to the Secretariat in the first place. While birthday celebrations for political leaders are common, official state symbols should not be incorporated into personalised celebratory displays in a manner that could be perceived as placing an individual above the institution.
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