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Madurai Or Gaza? TVK’s Conference Turns Chaos Resembling A Warzone With Unruly Fans And Pathetic Crowd Management By Organizers

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What was meant to be Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) grand political showpiece in Madurai on 21 August 2025 – the TVK Madurai Maanadu spiraled into chaotic and heartbreaking scenes – of babies crying, people “caged” and water bottles thrown at them, followers falling down after the bars/barricades were greased.

The party’s maiden conference in Madurai and second one in TN, intended to project power, instead exposed a catastrophic failure in planning, leaving thousands of supporters stranded under a brutal sun without basic amenities.

A Scorching Ordeal Under The Open Sky

With temperatures crossing 39°C (102°F), thousands of attendees, many brought in since 10 AM under the scorching sun, collapsed due to dehydration, lack of shade, and inadequate facilities. The event didn’t begin until 4PM!

With inadequate shade, many sought refuge under lorries or lay on the ground, overcome by the heat. The scene was less a political rally and more a desperate struggle for survival against the elements.

While medical experts have been warning in general about avoiding outdoor exposure during peak heat hours, TVK volunteers instructed people to gather early, leading to mass fainting spells. Hospitals reported treating hundreds, with estimates suggesting over 2,000 people were affected.

Babies In Ordeal

Infants and young children were brought to the venue despite prior warnings from the leaders. The heat caused them to be in great discomfort, and they were taken away (from the parents) to the medical room.

Life-Saving Essentials Sold At A Premium

In a stark display of exploitation, the very essentials for survival were commodified. Instead of ensuring free and accessible water stations, the event organization allowed vendors to charge exorbitant prices – about ₹60 for a water bottle and ₹70 for a basic curd rice, the menu also stated tamarind rice ₹80, veg biryani ₹120, and Sharbat ₹80, ice cream ₹100. Supporters, with no other options, were forced to pay to stave off dehydration. This high pricing was allegedly due to the overpriced stall rates – TVK allegedly collected ₹10,000 per stall at the conference venue.

The much-touted “drone water sprayers” advertised by the party’s media team were dismissed as a cruel gimmick, with observers noting they were utterly incapable of providing relief to a crowd of that size.

Observers likened the scene to a “Gaza-type crisis” where ordinary people were left to suffer in hostile conditions while the leadership remained in air-conditioned comfort.

Youth Dies Of Suffocation

An 18-year-old youth who attended the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) second state conference in Madurai on Thursday died after suffering from suffocation in the crowd.

The deceased has been identified as Roshan, a resident of Kotagiri in Nilgiris district. According to reports, Roshan arrived in Madurai around noon with friends, had breakfast, and proceeded to the conference venue. Around 2:30 PM, he experienced difficulty in breathing due to the heavy crowd and was given immediate first aid by medical staff at the spot.

While returning to Nilgiris later in the day, Roshan reportedly suffered another bout of breathlessness midway. His friends rushed him to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

 

Attendees Caged & Water Bottle Thrown At Them Like They Are Slaves; Bars Greased To Prevent People From Climbing

The people attending the TVK conference were placed inside compartmented zones which had sky high bars preventing them from climbing up and trying to come close to the actor-politician.

In what is seen as a derogatory move, the volunteers are seen throwing water bottles at the attendees as if they are some slaves begging for water.

To prevent overenthusiastic volunteers from climbing electric poles or barrier bars, a problem witnessed during the first state conference when fans refused to come down, the organizers this time resorted to greasing the poles at the venue. While Vijay has repeatedly stressed discipline within the party, critics argue that he has failed to rein in the unruly behavior of his supporters, often referred to by political opponents as “whistling chicks.”

Lawlessness And A Breakdown Of Order

The crisis was compounded by a complete breakdown of security and order. Multiple reports emerged of widespread theft, with purses and mobile phones being stolen – especially when people went towards the food stalls to purchase. Police complaint booths were reportedly set up to handle the volume of grievances, pointing to an environment of lawlessness within the event grounds.

Chairs were left broken after the event. The people delivering and taking back the chairs were aghast to see about 500 chairs lying broken at the end of the event.

Further tarnishing the event, scenes of drunkenness and sacrilege emerged. Supporters were allegedly found with alcohol, and in one jarring incident, a bottle of liquor were spilled on the premises of the Thiruparankundram temple, a site of religious significance, causing outrage and showcasing a blatant disregard for decorum and respect.

A Conference Of Self-Deception

The Madurai Maanadu will be remembered not for its political messaging, but as a catastrophic event where poor planning, exploitative practices, and a blatant disregard for human safety turned a political rally into a desperate crisis. For the thousands who fainted, were robbed, or paid a week’s wages for water, the event was less a political awakening and more a traumatic ordeal, a “Gaza-type” zone where the basic rules of humanity and care were the first casualties.

(With inputs from Maridhas)

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