TVK Leader Faces Legal Action Over Controversial Gen Z Revolution Call Following Fatal Stampede

Chennai:

A high-ranking official from actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has been charged following his social media publication encouraging Tamil Nadu's "Gen Z" youth to follow Nepal's protest example and stand against what he described as a "wicked government".

TVK General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna made these statements on X (previously Twitter) merely 48 hours after a tragic stampede at Vijay's rally in Karur resulted in 41 fatalities. The timing of these comments has sparked intense criticism, particularly from the governing Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Authorities have charged Arjuna under multiple sections of the BNS: 192, 196(1)(b), 197(1)(d), 353(1)(b), and 353(2).

The now-deleted post urged youth to initiate a "revolution," referencing recent events in Sri Lanka and Nepal. A widely circulated screenshot shows Arjuna stating, "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 wrote, "That revolution is going to be the reason for a change in government. Under a wicked ruler even the laws turn wicked." His post additionally accused Tamil Nadu police of attacking citizens "for just walking on the road" and arresting them "for expressing opinions on social media".

DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned these remarks as "irresponsible" and cautioned that such statements could provoke violence.

Sources within TVK informed NDTV that Arjuna's comments represented his personal views and were not supported by the party or its leader. "The party and Vijay will never instigate people or violence," one source affirmed, noting the post was swiftly removed.

The party faces mounting pressure following the Karur tragedy, with police attributing the deaths to what they characterized as Vijay's "deliberate display of political power." TVK has rejected this assertion, instead claiming that police mismanagement and a power outage contributed to the disaster.

Arjuna has submitted a petition to the Madras High Court seeking assurance that Vijay will not be prevented from meeting families of those who perished in Karur. He has also requested the transfer of the stampede investigation—currently led by Tamil Nadu police—to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), arguing this would ensure an unbiased inquiry.

The DMK has dismissed TVK's allegations of conspiracy, maintaining that organizers failed to follow safety protocols. Police have indicated that unscheduled stops by Vijay's campaign bus and an unauthorized impromptu roadshow were the primary factors leading to the fatal crush.