The political landscape in Tamil Nadu has been roiled by controversy following a deadly stampede at a rally addressed by popular actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay in Karur on September 27, 2025. The tragedy, which left 41 people dead, has not only cast a pall over the state but also sparked a fierce debate about the responsibilities and rhetoric of political leaders—especially those wielding influence over young people.
At the heart of the controversy is Aadhav Arjuna, TVK’s General Secretary and a close aide to Vijay. In the immediate aftermath of the stampede, Arjuna took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a message that would ignite a firestorm. His now-deleted post called for a “Gen-Z revolution,” drawing direct parallels to youth-led uprisings in Sri Lanka and Nepal. “If the police have become the servants of the ruling class, the only way to restore order is a youth revolution. Just as in Sri Lanka and Nepal, the youth and the Gen Z generation came together to create a revolution against authority, a youth uprising will occur here too. That uprising is going to be the foundation for regime change and the end of state terrorism,” Arjuna wrote, according to screenshots circulating widely on social media.
The reaction was swift and severe. Critics—many from rival political parties and concerned citizens alike—interpreted Arjuna’s message as an incitement to violence. According to reporting by Deccan Chronicle, social media platforms were soon flooded with demands for Arjuna’s arrest, with users accusing him of encouraging unrest and even orchestrating the stampede alongside Vijay. One X user remarked, “Just woke up to Aadhav Arjuna’s tweet, he’s openly inciting violence among youngsters. With such a massive following, using his platform to promote violence is dangerous.”
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party was among the most vocal in its condemnation. DMK Women’s Wing Social Media Coordinator Yazhini PM accused Arjuna of repeatedly “instigating youngsters, who have their whole life ahead of them, against the administration and the police.” Taking to X, she went further, alleging, “The stampede in Karur was willfully orchestrated by Arjuna and TVK chief Vijay. Government must initiate draconian measures against the ‘Cyber Terrorist’ Aadhav Arjuna immediately as possible.”
Amid mounting outrage, Arjuna edited his original post within minutes, removing the explicit references to Nepal and Sri Lanka. But the damage was done—screenshots of the initial message continued to spread, fueling further criticism and calls for accountability. Eventually, Arjuna deleted the post entirely, but by then, the controversy had taken on a life of its own.
Senior DMK leader and Lok Sabha MP A Raja weighed in, expressing gratitude to the public for pressuring Arjuna to retract his statement. “Adhav Arjuna put out a Twitter (X) post saying there should be a rebellion like in Nepal (apparently against TN government). Our growth rate is better than national average. Tamil Nadu is a peaceful state,” Raja told reporters, as quoted by Deccan Chronicle. He went on to say, “This (social media post) is against India’s sovereignty and integrity and he removed it after receiving backlash. Thanks to the TN people for this...” Raja also questioned why Vijay had not yet expelled Arjuna from the party, asking, “He (Arjuna) has no political understanding and is it good for TN politics and the people. Why have you (Vijay) not removed him from party yet?”
For his part, Arjuna seemed shaken by the tragedy and the subsequent uproar. Declining to comment extensively to reporters, he cited his grief over the loss of life in Karur. Later, he issued a condolence message on X, expressing deep sorrow and solidarity with the bereaved families. “These deaths are an irreparable loss for every affected family. My heart is not in a state to move past the loss and pain these families are enduring, as an ordinary human being would. I solemnly declare, as someone who understood the pain of death at a young age, that my life’s journey will be as a brother, a younger sibling, a son, and a relative carrying the dreams and hopes of those families. In this moment, when sorrow and grief alone envelop my heart, I share my thoughts as a relation to those who have faced these losses,” Arjuna wrote, as reported by Deccan Chronicle.
The incident has prompted a broader conversation about the role of social media in Indian politics and the responsibilities of those with significant online followings. While Arjuna’s defenders argue that his post, though perhaps ill-judged, was an emotional response to a devastating event, critics maintain that such rhetoric—especially in a volatile moment—can have dangerous real-world consequences. The reference to “state terrorism” and “regime change” struck a particularly sensitive nerve, with many recalling the chaos and violence that accompanied youth-led protests in neighboring countries.
Some political observers note that the controversy comes at a time when Tamil Nadu’s political climate is already charged, with new parties like TVK seeking to capitalize on the popularity of celebrities like Vijay. The stampede itself has raised difficult questions about crowd management, the responsibilities of event organizers, and the sometimes-blurred lines between entertainment and politics in the state. As the dust settles, many are watching closely to see whether TVK will take disciplinary action against Arjuna—or whether the episode will become just another flashpoint in a state known for its passionate and sometimes tumultuous political culture.
Meanwhile, the families of those who lost their lives at the Karur rally continue to grieve, their pain compounded by the political storm that has followed. For them, the focus remains on seeking answers and support in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy. As the debate over accountability, rhetoric, and responsibility rages on, one thing is clear: the events of September 27 have left an indelible mark on Tamil Nadu’s political and social landscape.
In the days ahead, both the state’s leaders and its citizens will have to confront difficult questions about the intersection of politics, celebrity, and the power—and peril—of words in the digital age.
