A recent political event by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has drawn attention after a child named by party founder and actor Vijay appeared on stage and delivered a speech praising him. The girl, identified as Nethra, addressed the audience, referring to Vijay as “Thalaivar” and stating that he gives hope to students and rewards high achievers.
She said, “Elders! Mothers! and state administrators! Volunteers who live in the heart of the Thalapathy! Today our flag is flying all over Salem. Tomorrow our flag will fly at the fort too. Our Thalapathy is the only leader who celebrates people be they farmers or scientists. Our Thalapathy is the one who gave hope to all the students that if they get good marks, they can get a prize from his hands. Thank you everyone for coming here.”
It is noteworthy that the child Nethra was originally named by Vijay himself.
Election Commission of India and quasi-judicial bodies, including the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), has made it clear that parading children during election or political campaign is a clear violation of children rights.
Not The First Time
This is not the first time Vijay and TVK are seen having children on their platforms.
February 2025 – TVK Meeting
The event follows a pattern observed earlier in February 2025 during a TVK meeting held in Mahabalipuram, where several children were seen participating actively. Toddlers and young children were reported running around with party flags and shawls in TVK colours. Vijay was seen lifting a toddler, identified as Ilam Siddharth from Madurai, and engaging with him on stage. Multiple parents present had told reporters they had brought their children due to their admiration for the actor and to show support for the party.
According to reports, the children in attendance were wearing party symbols and, in some cases, reportedly mimicked Vijay’s movie dialogues and gestures. One woman functionary from Dindigul had said she intended to raise her toddler daughter as a party cadre. Another, from Erode, stated she brought her three-year-old daughter to see the actor in person.
The incident had also led to speculation about the formation of a children’s wing within the party. When asked, TVK spokesperson Loyola Mani stated that the children’s wing was not intended to include children as members. He said it was created to address child-related issues and to work towards protecting children’s rights. He also clarified that some children may have been present at events due to personal circumstances, adding that even he had brought his daughter on occasion.
Despite these explanations, questions have continued to emerge regarding the visibility of children at political events, the use of minors in stage programs, and the broader implications of such participation. Legal observers and child rights activists have pointed to existing child protection laws in India that discourage the political use of children in rallies, campaigns, or media promotion by parties.
April 2025 – Booth Committee Conference
In April 2025, Vijay faced criticism for allegedly allowing minors to participate in the party’s Booth Committee Zonal Conference in Coimbatore on April 26–27, 2025. This violates Election Commission of India (ECI) rules, which prohibit under-18s from any election-related roles. Reports claim that minors received entry tokens for the booth-level meeting, meant strictly for eligible voters. The ECI maintains a zero-tolerance policy against using children in political activities, though passive presence with guardians is not a violation.
Children should not be involved in politics until they reach the age of 18. On 5 February 2024, the Election Commission of India issued a press note making it clear that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards the use of children in election-related work or campaign activities. The Commission directed political parties, candidates, and election officials to refrain from involving children in any aspect of political campaigns or rallies.
However, the Commission clarified that the mere presence of a child with a parent or guardian near a political leader, as long as the child is not involved in campaign activities, does not violate these guidelines.
Diamonds & Cash For Achievers – Bribe In Disguise?
Vijay held a high-profile award ceremony in Mahabalipuram on 13 June 2025, where he distributed certificates, cash prizes, and even gold rings to Class 10 and 12 toppers from 16 districts. While presented as a celebration of academic excellence, the event is seen by many as a calculated political move ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This was the third such ceremony, with past editions featuring extravagant gifts like diamond jewelry. Analysts argue these events blend civic recognition with subtle voter inducement, using photo ops and emotional appeals to build loyalty among families. Though Vijay asked attendees to focus on student success, the recurring nature and media coverage suggest a larger voter outreach campaign. Critics say these events cross the line between encouragement and electoral strategy, turning student accolades into tools for political consolidation.
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