Chennai: In his first public event after the Karur stampede that claimed the lives of 41 people, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader Vijay addressed a heavily regulated public meeting in Puducherry on Tuesday.
Actor-politician Vijay accused the DMK government in Tamil Nadu of refusing to learn basic lessons on crowd management and political neutrality, saying the DMK would not learn a lesson until people taught them in the upcoming assembly election.
Mindful of the tragedy and Vijay’s massive crowd-pulling abilities, the Puducherry Union Territory administration and TVK organising committee led by general secretary Bussy N. Anand implemented an unusual restriction and comprehensive safety plan for the event.
Instead of his usual roadshow, the event was organised in an open space with attendance capped at 5,000 and entry permitted only to those having a QR-coded pass, issued by TVK.
The police also issued a strong advisory asking children, pregnant women, elderly people, infants and the differently-abled to stay away. They even turned away those who showed up with children.
Apart from the restrictions, Puducherry UT administration also ensured the presence of ambulances, first-aid teams, fire engines, drinking water points, toilets and emergency exits.
According to TVK functionaries, fans and party cadre were instructed not to follow Vijay’s vehicle to avoid traffic chaos and the event was restricted to a tight two-hour window between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm.
‘MGR’s political rise began here’
Vijay, who reached the stage at around 11.30 am, said that Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are the same for him
“For the Union government, Tamil Nadu is one state and Puducherry another Union Territory. But for us, the people, we are not separate. Even if we live in different towns or states, we are one family.”
Nevertheless, people from Tamil Nadu were not allowed entry to the event, ostensibly to avoid over-crowding.
Calling it a land of pride, Vijay recalled that MGR’s political rise began in Puducherry. “Before forming the government in Tamil Nadu in 1977, MGR’s rule began in Puducherry in 1974. This land warned Tamil Nadu not to let go of him. How can we forget Puducherry?” he said.
Vijay further said that the people of the UT had been supporting him for over 30 years and he would never restrict his voice to Tamil Nadu alone.
While Vijay criticised the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, he appreciated the NR Congress-led NDA government in Puducherry.
“Even though this is an event by another political party, Puducherry ensured neutral, non-discriminatory security. This is not like the DMK government. I wholeheartedly thank the Puducherry government and the chief minister. The DMK should learn from this, but they won’t. It’s fine; in the coming election, the people will teach them 100 percent,” he told the gathering.
However, though Vijay did not directly attack the NR Congress and BJP coalition government in the UT, he accused the Union government of ignoring Puducherry. “The legislative assembly has passed resolutions 16 times, seeking a statehood for Puducherry, but the Centre has not acted on it yet. Only for the Centre are Tamil Nadu and Puducherry separate. For us, the people, we are together,” he said.
He also urged people not to trust the DMK. “They gain our trust and betray, that’s their job,” he said.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)