A senior leader from actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has provoked a major political controversy with a now-deleted social media post that appeared to urge Tamil Nadu’s youth to revolt against the state’s “wicked” DMK government, modelling their actions on recent events in Nepal.
The inflammatory post by Aadhav Arjuna, the party’s General Secretary, was made public amidst the highly charged aftermath of the Karur stampede that killed 41 people at a rally headlined by Vijay himself.
According to an NDTV report, the timing of the message, issued less than 48 hours after the tragedy, has raised significant political eyebrows.
In the Tamil-language post, a screenshot of which has been widely circulated online, Arjuna declared, "A youth-led revolution is the only solution.
'Gen Z' revolted in Sri Lanka, Nepal against the ruling government. Here also the youth will lead a revolution." He further stated, "That revolution is going to be the reason for a change in government. Under a wicked ruler even the laws turn wicked."
The ruling DMK was swift to condemn the remarks. Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi labelled the post "irresponsible" and warned it would instigate violence.
Facing severe backlash, the TVK has sought to distance itself from its senior leader’s comments. Party sources cited by NDTV said that the post was immediately deleted and insisted the party had nothing to do with its content or the 'revolution' it advocated. "The party and Vijay will never instigate people or violence," the TVK sources emphasised.
The controversy erupts as the TVK grapples with the multifaceted fallout from the Karur stampede. Police have claimed the tragedy was a result of Vijay's "deliberate display of political power," a charge the party vehemently denies.
Instead, the TVK has alleged a 'conspiracy' by the ruling DMK, pointing to unexplained power outages and alleged police mismanagement of the crowds. The DMK has refuted these claims, counter-charging that the TVK failed to adhere to basic safety protocols.
In a related development, Arjuna has also petitioned the Madras High Court, seeking directions to prevent the state government from obstructing Vijay from visiting the families of the stampede victims.
He has further demanded that the investigation into the incident be transferred from the state police to the federal Central Bureau of Investigation to ensure a fair probe.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, in a video statement on Monday, appealed for calm and asked political parties and the public to refrain from spreading rumours.
He assured the public that his administration would act on the recommendations of a one-person inquiry committee established to investigate the stampede.
The Karur tragedy, arriving years before the 2026 state assembly election, has also opened a political front for the national Bharatiya Janata Party, which struggles for a foothold in Tamil Nadu.
The BJP plans to send a delegation of eight MPs to conduct its own 'investigation' into the event, a move seen as an attempt to drum up support ahead of the crucial poll.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
