Written by Kevin Herbert

Who is Vijay? What’s TVK, and how was it founded

51-year-old Vijay, who has worked in more than 60 movies, founded the TVK on February 2, 2024, stating that he would contest the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. He remains the party’s president, and its headquarters are situated in Chennai. Vijay says his ideological alignment is centre to the left, and he has also embraced icons such as Periyar and Dr BR Ambedkar. Vijay has been particularly critical of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has even questioned the AIADMK for its alliance with the saffron party. Vijay believes AIADMK’s alliance with BJP will make ‘true followers’ of MG Ramachandran ‘unhappy’. „The AIADMK has forgotten its leaders and has aligned with the BJP. True followers of MGR are not in favour of the alliance and are lamenting. Why have you aligned with the BJP? What has the BJP done for Tamil Nadu?” he said recently. During the early 2000s, actor Vijay had an extensive network of fan clubs across Tamil Nadu. Around 2009, these fan clubs were brought together under a structured „Narpani Iyakkam” (welfare association), aimed at organising philanthropic and community service activities. On 26 July 2009, this initiative was formally launched as Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (transl. Vijay’s People Movement) in Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu. Vijay’s TVK has a large following in Tamil Nadu, primarily because of the actor’s massive fanbase. Vijay, born to director SA Chandrasekhar and playback singer Shoba Chandrasekhar, has acted in more than 65 movies and has given several blockbusters, and is quite popular among the fans. At the first political gathering of TVK, the party’s treasurer, Venkatraman, led a pledge for TVK and the supporters of actor-turned-politician Vijay. This pledge emphasised the party’s dedication to its core values and Vijay’s vision for Tamil Nadu, creating a strong sense of unity and purpose among the crowd as they rallied together and his mission in politics.

„Politics is not just another career for me. It is a sacred people’s work. I have been preparing myself for it for a long time. Politics is not a hobby for me. That is my deepest desire. I want to fully involve myself in it,” the actor said.

Further explaining actor Vijay’s political move, the statement further said, „You are all aware of the current political climate. Administrative malpractices and corrupt political culture on the one hand, and a divisive political culture which strives to divide our people along the lines of caste and religion on the other hand. Everyone, especially in Tamil Nadu, is yearning for a fundamental political change that can lead to a selfless, transparent, caste-free, visionary, corruption-free and efficient administration”.

21 August 2025 – NEET, MGR’s Legacy, Keezhadi, Katchatheevu: Vijay’s Speech With DMK, BJP Jibes Shapes TVK political rally Before TN Polls

The speech that changed everything and served as an example of why a mass gathering is growing and imminent. TVK’s chief Vijay criticised the BJP and DMK in Madurai, showcasing its strength before the 2026 elections. In his speech, Vijay used powerful metaphors, declaring, „A lion will only come out for hunting, not for sightseeing. It knows how to remain in a crowd as well as alone. A lion comes out only to hunt, not for entertainment. It always hunts only living prey…”

He stressed the importance of individuality and strength, portraying the party’s mission as an unstoppable force driven by public support. Vijay remembered former CM MG Ramachandran and ‘Captain Vijayakant’ in Madurai. Vijay described TVK as a “people’s movement of ordinary Indians” and emphasised that the outcome of Tamil Nadu politics would be determined by the people, not alliance arithmetic.

Vijay identified the BJP as the party’s only ideological opponent and the DMK as its primary political rival. He questioned the central government’s response to issues affecting Tamil Nadu, such as the hardships faced by 800 fishermen and demanded the retrieval of Katchatheevu, and the cancellation of NEET, which is the centralised exam for medicine. „Due to your stubbornness, you continue to impose the NEET exam, and it pains me to even speak about what is happening here because of it. NEET must be abolished. Will you do this? You will never give us what we want or do what is right for us,” he said. During the conference, Vijay performed a ramp walk, which drew crowds eager to catch a glimpse of him. Organisers and bouncers worked to manage the enthusiastic supporters who attempted to climb the ramp. He paid floral tributes to the ideological leaders of the party and met his parents, who were seated on stage alongside other TVK members. During the conference, Vijay performed a ramp walk, which drew crowds eager to catch a glimpse of him. Organisers and bouncers worked to manage the enthusiastic supporters who attempted to climb the ramp. He paid floral tributes to the ideological leaders of the party and met his parents, who were seated on stage alongside other TVK members. Hundreds of supporters began arriving at the venue from Wednesday night, with some fainting due to dehydration and heat. Attendees were provided first aid on-site, although complaints arose over limited drinking water and unexpected charges for some food packets. In a cultural highlight, TVK launched a campaign song sung by Vijay himself, emphasising the party’s connection with the people and its intent to blend political messaging with popular appeal.

The Karur Mass gathering and its consequences

At least 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, lost their lives in a stampede during actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay’s election rally in Karur on Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday expressed deep shock over the tragic stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s rally in Karur, which claimed the lives of 36 people, including 8 children and 16 women. He said he was “heartbroken” by the loss of lives and directed that those injured receive the “best possible medical care.”

Stalin announced that families of the deceased will be given Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund, while those undergoing intensive treatment will receive ₹1 lakh each. He has deputed the School Education Minister and the Health Minister to Karur, and sent district collectors from Trichy, Salem, and Dindigul along with medical teams to support relief efforts.

The Chief Minister said he would personally visit Karur to meet the bereaved families and those receiving treatment. He also announced the formation of a one-member Commission of Inquiry headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the incident and submit a report to the government.

During the commotion, Vijay was heard appealing from the stage, “Police, please help,” as a child reportedly appeared to go missing in the crowd.

Ministers, senior government officials and top police officers have rushed to the site to oversee relief and rescue operations as several persons remain in critical condition following the incident. At least 30 people fainted and were rushed in ambulances to hospitals, officials said. „Information from Karur is worrisome,” Chief Minister M K Stalin said after the hospitalisation of several people. Acting on Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s instructions, DMK district secretary and former minister Senthil Balaji rushed to the hospital to oversee relief measures. State Health Minister Ma Subramanian is also on his way to Karur.

In a post on X, Stalin said, „I have contacted former Minister @V_Senthilbalaji, Honourable Minister @Subramanian_Ma and the District Collector to provide immediate treatment to the public who have fainted and been admitted to the hospital due to the crowding.”

Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the final toll or the extent of injuries, and further updates are awaited.

A petition has been filed in the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court seeking derecognition/deregistration of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam following the recent stampede that occurred in Karur during the party’s political rally. The petitioner, an advocate practicing before the Madurai bench argued that during the political rally that took place in Karur on 27th September, a large number of people, including children, infants, women and elderly persons had gathered in a congested venue and due to the gross negligence, mismanagement, and violation of lawful permissions, 40 people had died and many had been injured. It has been stated that the organisers of the meeting had grossly violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 21 and 21A of the Constitution, along with Directive Principles under Articles 39(e) and 39(f). It has also been submitted that other provisions of law under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, and the Representation of the People Act have also been violated by the organisers. It was also submitted that the party had flouted the guidelines issued by the Bombay High Court in the decision of Chetan Bharatkumar Dhakan v. State of Maharashtra, which had held that minors should not be used in election campaigns and had directed the Election Commission of India to frame strict guidelines against the same. It was also submitted that the tragedy was not a mere accident but the direct result of reckless planning, gross mismanagement, and complete disregard for the safety of the public. The petitioner alleged that the organisers permitted the crowd to gather without restriction, failed to provide adequate barricades, and positioned the campaign vehicle in a manner that provoked a dangerous surge. The petitioner further argued that allowing Vijay’s party to conduct any more rallies while the Karur incident was under investigation would amount to placing countless other lives in peril. It has also been argued that the ex gratia payment announced by the State and the appointment of a one-man commission were not sufficient to address the recurring danger. It was argued that unless strict directions were issued to forbid the party from conducting rallies, a tragedy of equal or greater magnitude may occur.

Conclusion

While they may help to build a sense of community and facilitate cultural expression, mass gatherings need to be planned safely and carefully. Large crowds can overwhelm built infrastructure. This can necessitate comfortably spaced exits and hydration stations to help crowds and individuals from becoming overheated or suffering from other discomfort. Risk of overcrowding and other challenges can be mitigated through organisation and communication. Staff training can help with attendance. Inclusive design can facilitate access for the elderly, children, and others with restricted mobility. This, and much more, can be done to ensure that the main goal of the event, political, cultural, or social, can happen safely and securely.

References

Vijay rally crush: At least 39 killed at political event in Tamil Nadu
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam – Wikipedia
All you need to know about actor Vijay’s TVK and its ideological alignment | Tamil-nadu News– India TV
TVK Maanadu Madurai Video Vijay Speech TVK Second State Conference Tamil Nadu Jibes At Stalin PM Modi
TVK Vijay rally stampede: Over 35 dead, several injured in stampede in Tamil Nadu’s Karur
Karur Stampede | Plea In Madras High Court Calls For Deregistration Of Vijay’s TVK Party For Misconduct