In a stunning display of judicial overreach and political manipulation, the recent proceedings in the Madras High Court surrounding the Karur stampede tragedy have raised troubling questions about fairness, impartiality, and the misuse of institutions for political vendetta. What unfolded on October 3, 2025 was not just a courtroom hearing—it was a meticulously staged political drama scripted to vilify Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and its leader, Vijay, without even giving them a chance to be heard.
TVK Silenced Before It Could Speak
Shockingly, TVK was not even made a party to the case. The petition—filed by one PH Dinesh from Villivakkam—was heard without including the very party being accused.
No representative from TVK was present, no notice was issued, and no opportunity for defense was granted. Yet, Justice N. Senthilkumar went on to make scathing personal remarks about Vijay’s leadership and mental state—comments that have no place in judicial proceedings. How can a judge, who is expected to uphold neutrality, comment on the “mental state” or “leadership quality” of an individual who isn’t even before the court to defend himself?
A Judicial Free Pass For DMK Propaganda
Within hours of the oral observations, DMK’s media ecosystem sprang into action. Television debates, social media influencers, and Dravidianist propaganda outlets ran coordinated stories amplifying the judge’s remarks—clearly designed to tarnish TVK’s image in the public eye. It appeared less like a coincidence and more like a choreographed operation where the judiciary’s words became political weapons.
The Curious Case
Even more curious is the timing. The Madurai Bench of the High Court was already hearing the anticipatory bail pleas of TVK leaders Nirmal Kumar and Bussy Anand regarding the same Karur incident. So, how did another PIL suddenly make its way to the Madras High Court within days? Enter the DMK—experts in backdoor politics, adept at manipulating institutions to target opponents while maintaining a façade of legality.
The PIL was filed on September 30, and mysteriously, it was listed within just days—a level of judicial efficiency rarely seen for ordinary citizens. Unsurprisingly, the only advocates present were those representing the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government. Why was Vijay not made a respondent, when the entire proceeding revolved around his event and party?
Justice Or Bias?
The judge’s remarks were more political than judicial. Questions such as “What kind of party is this?”, “The leader fled,” and “This shows the mental state of the leader” reflect not a search for truth, but an underlying prejudice. On what legal basis or metric does a judge assess a politician’s leadership quality or mental state?
The judge even referred to a “hit-and-run” case based on YouTube videos and accused the organisers of negligence—without TVK’s side being present to offer context. Ironically, the same video also shows Vijay cautioning bikers to be careful. But without representation, that crucial detail never made it into the record.
A Mockery Of Natural Justice
At the heart of this controversy lies a grave question: has the principle of natural justice been thrown out of the window? The two pillars of natural justice—the rule against bias and the right to be heard—exist to prevent precisely such miscarriages. No one should be a judge in their own cause, and no person should be condemned without an opportunity to present their case. Yet, in this instance, both these foundational principles were violated with impunity.
Had the judge even summoned TVK, condemned the incident, and sought an explanation the next day—it would have been a fair exercise. Instead, he delivered sweeping condemnations that have now become talking points for the DMK’s political propaganda machine.
The Larger Conspiracy: DMK’s Fascism Through Judicial Facade
The entire sequence of events bears the hallmark of an orchestrated DMK operation—using the judiciary’s shoulder to fire its political gun. A tragedy that demanded sober introspection and accountability has been converted into a political weapon to delegitimise Vijay’s nascent political movement. The DMK, afraid of TVK’s rapid rise and mass appeal, is now resorting to cowardly, anti-democratic tactics—targeting opponents through proxies in the courtroom rather than through public mandate.
This move is not just aimed at TVK; it strikes at all opposition parties. This order comes at a time when BJP Tamil Nadu President Nainar Nagenthiran is set to launch a state-wide tour to expose the DMK government’s failure. AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami has already been drawing massive crowd for his “Makkalai Kaapom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom” campaign.
The court has effectively ordered that no permission for the conduct of public meetings on State Highways or National Highways will be granted until a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding public gatherings is framed by the State Government and approved by the Court. So, until the DMK government submits an SOP and gets it approved from the court no party can organize rallies and public meetings which is a brazen attempt at trampling the democratic rights of opposition parties and stifling political dissent with judicial sanction.
A Word Of Advice For Vijay
Vijay, welcome to Politics 101. Do not be disheartened by orchestrated attacks, courtroom theatrics, or propaganda campaigns targeting you and TVK. Politics is a rough, dirty arena, and the challenges you face today will only intensify with time. If your goal is to truly challenge and eventually eradicate the DMK, you must be strategic: join hands with like-minded political actors, build alliances, and surround yourself with advisers who are impartial, wise, and committed to your cause—not clouded by prejudice or personal bias against a party or its leader. Only with preparation, patience, and a clear political vision can TVK navigate these storms and emerge stronger.
Vallavaraayan is a political writer.
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