Vijay Breaks Silence with Cautious Return: TVK Chief's First Public Interaction Post-Karur Stampede Limited to 1,500 Invitees

Chennai, November 23, 2025 – In a measured step back into the political spotlight nearly two months after the tragic Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Joseph Vijay held his first public interaction today at a private engineering college in Sunguvarchathiram, Kancheepuram district. The indoor event, restricted to just 1,500 carefully vetted participants bearing QR-coded passes, underscored the party's heightened focus on safety and crowd control following the September 27 disaster during a Vijay-led rally in Karur.

The gathering, which kicked off at 11 a.m., marked the launch of the next phase of TVK's 'Meet the People' outreach campaign. Attendees, drawn from over 35 villages across three taluks in Kancheepuram, were handpicked party functionaries and local residents selected to present their grievances directly to Vijay. In a departure from the star-studded rallies that have defined his political foray, the session emphasized intimate dialogue over mass spectacle, with Vijay addressing key political and social issues while interacting with the cadre. Party sources described the atmosphere as "electrifying yet disciplined," with Vijay reportedly emphasizing unity and resilience in the face of adversity.

Security was paramount, reflecting lessons learned from Karur, where overcrowding and logistical lapses led to chaos, injuring over 60 others and prompting a statewide probe. Entry points were fortified with tin-sheet barricades, manned by around 100 TVK volunteers clad in distinctive yellow T-shirts—many of whom underwent rigorous crowd-management training from retired police officials in recent weeks. Private security personnel, including "bouncers," supplemented the efforts, while provisions for vehicles, water, and food ensured attendee comfort. TVK had also sought police protection from the Kancheepuram Superintendent of Police, though details on deployment remained under wraps to avoid drawing crowds.

This controlled format comes amid tightened regulations post-tragedy. Just last week, Salem police rejected TVK's application for a mega rally on December 4—coinciding with the release anniversary of Vijay's 1992 debut film *Naalaiya Theerpu*—citing the need for at least four weeks' advance notice to implement comprehensive crowd management, traffic regulation, and security protocols aligned with new safety guidelines. The party is now scouting alternate dates and venues, with district teams slated to inspect sites for optimal safety.

Vijay's return follows a period of introspection for TVK. After the stampede, the actor-politician retreated from public view, focusing instead on private outreach. In late October, he met with families of the victims at a resort in Mahabalipuram, where he broke down while collecting details on their financial hardships and committing to support for education and debt relief. His brief appearance at the party's Special General Council meeting in early November—his first semi-public address—saw him decry "malicious political narratives" and rally members for the 2026 Assembly elections, passing resolutions targeting the ruling DMK and the Centre.

Today's event also spotlighted TVK's internal capacity-building. Vijay addressed the volunteers' wing, sharing best practices for future large-scale gatherings. With daily training camps enrolling about 100 members based on physical fitness akin to police standards, the party aims to professionalize its operations ahead of district-level expansions. On social media, reactions were mixed: supporters hailed the "mature pivot" to safer formats, with one X user noting, "1st QR Code Political Mtg: Only 2000 invitees with a QR code are allowed entry. Is it a public mtg or a party mtg?"—sparking debates on accessibility. Critics, however, questioned the shift as a sign of waning momentum.