Actor Vijay to Hold First Public Meeting in Puducherry Since Karur Tragedy Under Strict Police Conditions

Chennai:

Actor-politician Vijay is preparing to hold his first public gathering in Puducherry on Tuesday, where he will deliver a speech from atop his campaign vehicle. His party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emphasizes this will be a standalone event rather than a roadshow. This marks his first outdoor political engagement since the tragic Karur stampede in September that claimed 41 lives.

A representative from Vijay's team informed NDTV, "Sir will speak from the bus top. The bus has already departed Chennai."

The Puducherry Police, who initially withheld permission for a roadshow citing limited space in streets and lanes, have now granted approval with stringent conditions: attendance is limited to 5,000 individuals, and entry is exclusively permitted through QR-coded invitations issued by the TVK.

Participation from neighboring Tamil Nadu residents is prohibited.

"We are deploying 800 police personnel for this meet," a high-ranking police official told NDTV. Authorities have mandated enclosures accommodating 500 people each for enhanced crowd management. Footage shared by the party displays the venue arrangement precisely as directed by law enforcement, along with numerous newly installed surveillance cameras.

The TVK must also provide drinking water, restroom facilities, medical services, and other safety provisions.

In a public notice, the party has advised pregnant women, children, differently-abled individuals, and seniors to refrain from attending due to safety considerations. Party supporters have been warned against climbing buildings, rooftops, trees, or electrical infrastructure and instructed not to follow Vijay's vehicle.

Vijay, who commands substantial support across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, aims to strengthen his party's presence in the Union Territory. His visit carries political significance and occurs while a CBI investigation into the Karur tragedy continues.

The Tamil Nadu administration previously attributed the disaster to his delayed arrival—an accusation Vijay characterized as a political scheme by the ruling DMK. He also criticized police for security failures. Both the state government and the DMK have rejected these allegations.

Following Puducherry, Vijay is scheduled to resume his Tamil Nadu statewide tour from Erode later this month.

Puducherry's political context adds further complexity: the current governing coalition includes the NR Congress allied with the BJP, while the opposition consists of Congress and the DMK.

Vijay has explicitly identified the BJP as his "ideological enemy" and the DMK as his "political enemy." His activities in Puducherry gain additional significance amid reports that several Congress leaders recently met with him.

Vijay is expected to address the gathering around 11 am. As mandated by police, the public meeting must conclude by 12:30 pm.