Tensions flared at a regional meeting of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) held in Sathur, Tamil Nadu, on 9 July 2025, as party leader and DMK ally Vaiko lost his cool and lashed out at journalists, triggering an attack on members of the press by MDMK cadres.
According to reports, a journalist from a private news channel was injured after being manhandled by party workers during the event. The incident unfolded during Vaiko’s lengthy speech, which reportedly went on for more than an hour. As the address continued, a number of attendees exited the venue, leaving several seats unoccupied.
Video footage from the event shows Vaiko becoming visibly agitated upon noticing a cameraman capturing footage of the empty chairs. Enraged, he shouted at the journalists, accusing them of trying to project a negative image of the turnout.
“Which media outlet are you from? You’re showing empty chairs! Don’t you have any sense? Will you also show those standing outside? Take their cameras, remove the film rolls,” Vaiko is heard shouting from the stage, instructing party members to seize the journalists’ equipment.
The situation escalated as journalists began to leave the venue, only to be confronted and attacked by MDMK cadres. At least two reporters from local outlets were reportedly injured in the scuffle. One cameraman sustained a head injury during the chaos.
Despite the commotion, Sattur MLA A.R.R. Raghuraman attempted to calm the situation and reassure the journalists. The injured media person was later admitted to the Government Hospital in Sattur for treatment.
"காலி சேர்களை எதுக்கு படம் எடுக்குறீங்க.. அந்த கேமராவ புடிங்கி பிலிம் ரோலை உருவுங்க".. வைகோ பேசும் போது பாதியில் எழுந்து சென்றதை படம் பிடித்ததால் ஆத்திரம்.. செய்தியாளர்களை தாக்கி அட்டூழியத்தில் ஈடுபட்ட ம.தி.மு.கவினர்..!#Polimer | #Virudhunagar | #Vaiko | #MDMK | #Politics |… pic.twitter.com/HKH4mqP4i4
— Polimer News (@polimernews) July 10, 2025
(With inputs from India Today)
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