Actor and leader of the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay, held a special meet-and-greet event on 28 June 2024 to honour students who excelled in the recent 10th and 12th-grade examinations. The event took place at the Ramachandra Convention Center in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.
Say NO to Temporary Pleasures…
Say NO to Drugs !#ThalapathyHonorsStudents #TVKVijay #தமிழகவெற்றிக்கழகம் pic.twitter.com/8O73RZ60OC— TVK Vijay Trends (@TVKVijayTrends) June 28, 2024
Addressing the issue of drug abuse, Vijay advised students to avoid negative influences and refrain from using drugs. “Don’t lose your identity at any cost. Of late in Tamil Nadu, there’s been a big spike in the use of drugs among youngsters. As a father and as a leader of a political party, I am scared of this situation. I am not here to accuse the ruling government of being unable to protect youngsters from drug abuse. I am saying that sometimes we need to take care of our lives first. Develop self-control and self-discipline.”
He concluded by leading the students in affirmations against temporary pleasures and drug use, underscoring his commitment to fostering a drug-free youth. “Say no to temporary pleasures, say no to drugs,“ he urged.
However, at the event on 3 July 2024, Vijay spoke about NEET and addressed the Union government as Ondirya Arasu aligning with the DMK. However, a few days ago at another function, Vijay had questioned the prevalence of drugs in Tamil Nadu.
Critics wondered why this sudden change in stand especially with regard to issues that the DMK has been protesting about.
#ThalapathyVIJAY’s full speech regarding NEET issue
#VijayFelicitatesStudents @actorvijay pic.twitter.com/GrPWAjJkyd
— Actor Vijay Fans (@Actor_Vijay) July 3, 2024
It is alleged that the DMK ensures that film stars are kept in check through surveillance activities. It is also alleged that authorities directly targeted Vijay to ensure he toes the DMK line.
Let’s analyse Vijay’s background, especially the location of his home in Neelankarai. Vijay resides in the Coastal Regulation Zone 1.
What is CRZ?
Wikipedia defines the Coastal Regulation Zone as “the coastal land up to 500m from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a stage of 100m along banks of creeks, lagoons, estuaries, backwater and rivers subject to tidal fluctuations.” These regulations are put forth by the governments of states having coastal belts.
It is alleged that Vijay’s house is approximately (or less than) 200m from the beach.
It is alleged that authorities of the fire department, CMDA, environmental department, surveyor, town planning department, and Chennai Corporation pulled out documents concerning this house in question overnight. With the collected data, it is purported that they wanted to carry out surveys and “analyse” the structure.
DMK & Vijayakanth
Comparing this with the DMK’s behaviour against the DMDK, especially Vijayakanth whom they clashed head-on, the pattern seems similar. In 2006-07, TR Baalu, the present DMK MP from Sriperumbudur, who served as the Minister for Road Transport, Highways, and Shipping in the Congress-led UPA government, faced criticism for the controversial demolition of Andal Azhagar Kalyana Mandapam. This wedding hall, owned by actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth’s wife, Premalatha, which also served as his party office, was razed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) which came under Baalu’s jurisdiction back then.
Situated on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Chennai, the auditorium became a casualty of a flyover construction project aimed at alleviating congestion at the Jawaharlal Nehru Road-Bangalore Highway junction.
Vijayakanth accused the DMK government of orchestrating the swift demolition due to their inability to tolerate his party’s growth. While acknowledging the necessity for the structure’s removal for road expansion, he claimed the move was politically motivated.
Vijayakanth had expressed his willingness to surrender the building for road expansion, requesting only an extension until 31 August that year to honour existing marriage bookings.
Despite proposing alternative plans and engaging with DMK president M Karunanidhi, the state government, proceeded with the demolition after months of delay in responding to Vijayakanth’s alternatives. The incident underscored the political ruthlessness of the DMK government under Karunanidhi.
The wedding hall, spanning 1 acre and 56 cents, was torn down by the then DMK government led by Karunanidhi, reducing it to approximately 3 grounds.
Similar Pattern With Vijay?
It is alleged that there is a possibility that someone could file a PIL and get a portion of his house demolished akin to what happened with Vijayakanth. Given the location of Vijay’s house, there are more possibilities of trouble.
Looking at all this, it is alleged that as a solution to prevent this trouble, Vijay could have been asked to do what he did – welcome the resolution passed by the DMK government, raise his voice against NEET, and also address the central government as Ondriya Arasu. It is noteworthy that Vijay mentioned he will not speak politics at such functions.
Notably, Vijay mentioned he was placing a request in the public forum perceivably directing this back at the DMK. However, whether this will give Vijay brownie points is not certain. That said, there is a lot of chance that such instances of change of stand can be seen from the actor-turned-politician, only time will tell.
(with inputs from Maridhas)
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