Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A controversy erupted after Aadhav Arjuna, General Secretary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and aide to actor-politician Vijay, posted on X urging Tamil Nadu’s youth to “revolt like Gen Z in Nepal.” The now-deleted message came less than 48 hours after a deadly stampede at Vijay’s rally in Karur claimed 41 lives, raising sharp criticism from the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
Arjuna’s Post and Immediate Backlash
In his Tamil post, screenshots of which circulated widely online, Arjuna wrote that “a youth-led revolution is the only solution” and accused the DMK government of being “wicked.” He cited youth uprisings in Sri Lanka and Nepal as examples, suggesting that Tamil Nadu’s Gen Z would follow suit. DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned the remarks as “irresponsible,” warning they could incite violence.
TVK’s Clarification and Legal Moves
TVK leaders quickly distanced themselves from the post, stressing that neither the party nor Vijay would “ever instigate people or violence.” Arjuna has also petitioned the Madras High Court to allow Vijay to meet the families of the victims and demanded the stampede probe be transferred from the state police to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Stampede Fallout and Political Blame Game
The Karur stampede has ignited a war of words between DMK and TVK. TVK alleged a conspiracy involving power cuts and crowd mismanagement, while DMK countered that TVK failed to follow safety protocols. Police said unscheduled stops by Vijay’s campaign bus, which turned into an unpermitted road show, triggered the chaos.
Political Implications Ahead of 2026 Polls
Chief Minister MK Stalin promised action based on an inquiry committee’s recommendations and urged people to avoid spreading rumours. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has limited presence in Tamil Nadu, announced an eight-MP delegation to conduct its own fact-finding exercise, potentially turning the tragedy into a political flashpoint ahead of the 2026 state elections.
