Discourage Pregnant Women From Attending TVK Rallies: Madras HC Tells Vijay

In a sharp message to actor-turned-politician Vijay, the Madras High Court has urged him to take personal responsibility for ensuring that public meetings of his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, are conducted lawfully and without disruption, Live Law reported.

"You, as the leader, should control the crowd," Justice N Satish Kumar said during a hearing on Monday, adding that Vijay should set an example by discouraging pregnant women and differently-abled individuals from attending large political gatherings for their own safety.

Court's Concerns Over Public Safety

The court was hearing a petition filed by Vijay's party, which alleged that police were unfairly denying or delaying permissions for their political events. The party claimed that its rapid rise had triggered resistance from dominant political forces in Tamil Nadu, leading to biased treatment.

However, the state's Additional Public Prosecutor countered that permissions were not denied, but certain conditions were imposed to maintain law and order. He also presented photos showing damage to public property during a recent party meeting in Trichy.

Key Suggestions from the Court

- Vijay must ensure discipline at party events and take accountability for crowd behavior.
- Police should frame uniform rules for granting permissions to all political parties.
- A security deposit could be mandated from parties to cover potential damage to public property.
- Safety advisories for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and differently-abled individuals should be considered.

What's Next?

The case has been adjourned to September 24, with the court warning that it may intervene if further violations occur.

Vijay started his extensive campaign on September 13 from Trichy. He will be on the road until December 20, reaching out to voters in various districts. This tour aims to cover a significant portion of the state, engaging with the public at multiple locations.

In early October, specifically on the 4th and 5th, Vijay will address gatherings in Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Tiruppur, and Erode. His journey then takes him to Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi on October 11. A week later, on October 18, he will be in Kancheepuram, Vellore, and Ranipet.