Actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has drawn sharp criticism for blatant double standards, after invoking public mourning to discourage the celebration of a Hindu festival following the Karur stampede, while later holding and participating in Christmas celebrations without similar restraint.
About a month after the Karur stampede on 27 September 2025, which claimed 41 lives including children during Vijay’s campaign event, TVK leaders publicly advised party cadres to refrain from celebrating Deepavali as a mark of respect to the deceased. On 19 October 2025, TVK propaganda joint secretary Loyola Mani stated on social media that the decision was based on Vijay’s advice and was intended to honour the victims. However, no formal statement was issued by Vijay or the party leadership.
At the time, TVK also faced backlash for proceeding with Ayudha Pooja celebrations barely three days after the tragedy, drawing criticism for inconsistency in its approach to mourning.
Subsequently, Vijay met families of the stampede victims, and the case was transferred to the CBI following Supreme Court directions. The investigation remains ongoing.
However, in December 2025, Vijay was seen participating in Christmas celebrations organised by TVK at Four Points by Sheraton, Mahabalipuram, ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The event, described as low-key by party sources, saw Vijay cutting a cake with children, lighting a Christmas tree, and interacting with young attendees. Multiple videos and photographs from the event were widely circulated on social media by fan pages.
Thalapathy Vijay celebrates by cutting the Christmas cake and feeding the kids 🥹❤️
— Vijay Fans Trends (@VijayFansTrends) December 22, 2025
Addressing the gathering, Vijay spoke at length about compassion, faith, and social harmony, drawing from a biblical narrative and assuring that both he and TVK were committed to protecting religious harmony “without any compromise.” He concluded his speech by wishing attendees a Merry Christmas and invoking religious blessings.
The contrast between TVK’s earlier call to avoid a major Hindu festival in the name of mourning, and Vijay’s later participation in celebratory Christmas events, has triggered criticism from political observers and social media users, who have questioned the apparent double standards in the party’s handling of religious events and public sentiment.
Critics argue that while restraint was urged during Hindu festivals following a tragedy linked to Vijay’s own campaign, no similar restraint was visible during Christian celebrations just months later, raising questions about consistency, optics, and political messaging as the state heads toward the 2026 elections.
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