Tamil Actor Vijay Denied Permission for Puducherry Roadshow Due to Crowd Safety Concerns

The proposed roadshow was intended as a strategic political maneuver for Vijay, who enjoys massive cult-like following among fans.

Chennai:

Authorities in Puducherry have denied permission for Tamil actor Vijay's scheduled December 5 roadshow, instead suggesting he conduct a public meeting at an open venue. This decision has created uncertainty within his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which had already deployed senior leaders Bussy Anand and Aadhav Arjuna to make preparations for the event—an occasion meant to establish Vijay's political presence in the Union Territory.

Speaking to NDTV, a high-ranking police official explained that the decision followed a thorough assessment and consultation with the Chief Minister. When questioned about the denial, the officer cited infrastructure concerns: "The narrow roads in Puducherry can't hold the massive crowds Vijay draws."

Police officials have emphasized that a traditional public gathering would be more manageable from security and crowd control perspectives. TVK has not yet issued an official response to this development. Despite repeated attempts to obtain comments, party general secretary Bussy Anand has remained silent on the matter.

The Puducherry event represented an important tactical move for Vijay, whose enormous fan following extends across Tamil Nadu and significantly into the former French colony. Puducherry's current political arena is dominated by the ruling NR Congress-BJP coalition and the Congress-DMK alliance, with TVK aiming to establish its presence in this competitive environment.

Safety concerns have heightened following the tragic October stampede at TVK's rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which resulted in 41 fatalities, including women and children. This incident, one of the most devastating political rally tragedies in recent state history, is currently under CBI investigation as directed by the Supreme Court.

The state government has subsequently drafted standard operating procedures for political rallies.

Today, a retired Supreme Court Judge began meeting with the public and various parties in Karur regarding the tragedy.

Tamil Nadu Police previously attributed responsibility for the Karur incident to TVK and Vijay, citing the "terrible delay" in the actor's arrival that allegedly triggered crowd surges, along with insufficient provisions for water and food. TVK has vigorously contested these allegations, instead claiming that police failed to properly manage the growing crowds.

Following the Puducherry police decision, TVK must reconsider its approach. Whether Vijay will accept the alternative of a public meeting or attempt to secure different permissions remains uncertain. However, this denial has already sparked renewed discussions about the scale of his political outreach and the challenges associated with managing crowds during his public appearances.