Actor-turned-politician Vijay, chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), made a thunderous political statement on Sunday, holding his first major public protest in Chennai to demand justice for Ajith Kumar, a 29-year-old temple security guard who died in alleged police custody torture.
Vijay’s Direct Attack on the DMK Government
Speaking before a sea of supporters, Vijay launched a scathing attack on the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, accusing it of systemic failure and indifference to rising custodial deaths. He labelled the administration a "Sorry ma model government", ridiculing what he sees as a pattern of empty apologies in response to tragedies.
“The maximum reply we get from this government is ‘sorry ma’. Courts are questioning your government. If that’s the case, what is the need for you? What is the need for your governance? What is the need for a Chief Minister?”
Dressed in black and holding a placard that read “Don’t need sorry, we need justice”, Vijay pointed to the 24 reported custodial deaths under the DMK’s current rule, demanding both public apologies and fair compensation for the victims’ families.
The Ajith Kumar Custodial Death Case: What Happened?
Ajith Kumar was detained on June 27 by police in Sivaganga in connection with a jewellery theft case. Within 24 hours, he was declared “brought dead” at a hospital, with the police initially blaming an epileptic seizure. However, the post-mortem report revealed 44 injuries, internal bleeding, and signs of prolonged physical assault—backing the family’s charge of torture in custody.
This shocking revelation triggered public outrage, forcing political parties to react and prompting judicial intervention.
High Court and CBI Step In
In response to escalating demands for justice and transparency:
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The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court took suo motu cognisance of the custodial death.
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The Tamil Nadu government transferred the investigation to the CBI.
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On Saturday, the CBI registered a murder case against six police officers.
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The state government suspended all six, including the Deputy Superintendent of Police and transferred the Sivaganga SP.
Vijay's Political Calculus
Vijay’s public protest is more than a humanitarian stand—it’s a political statement. Coming just months after TVK’s formal entry into Tamil Nadu politics, this marks his first mass mobilisation, signalling serious intent ahead of the 2026 state elections.
A day before the protest, Vijay met 18 families affected by custodial violence, underlining his party’s positioning as an anti-establishment force focused on accountability, justice, and reform.
His actions are now being closely watched across Tamil Nadu’s political spectrum, as he increasingly positions himself as a chief ministerial contender. His ability to blend star power with grassroots activism is emerging as a key factor in the state’s evolving political landscape.
Public Response and Fallout
The massive protest drew large crowds despite the intense Chennai heat, with several TVK supporters fainting from dehydration. Emergency medical personnel were seen assisting those affected.
Meanwhile, the DMK government faces growing criticism not just from TVK, but from the opposition AIADMK, PMK, BJP, and civil rights groups, all pointing to repeated instances of police brutality and a need for systemic police reform.
Vijay’s protest, rooted in justice for Ajith Kumar but expanding into a wider critique of governance, may well mark the beginning of a more aggressive political chapter for the TVK—and a new era of challenges for the DMK.
