The confrontation between Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan’s convoy and a Chennai-based lawyer has escalated into a controversy over press freedom, after VCK members publicly accused Polimer News of being part of a “BJP-RSS conspiracy” and demanded a police probe against the media house.
According to the party’s press meet, held soon after the October 7 incident near the Madras High Court, VCK alleged that Polimer News “deliberately spread false information” about the altercation and “uploaded fabricated visuals within minutes” of the event. Senior VCK functionaries claimed that the incident, in which a lawyer named Rajiv Gandhi confronted Thirumavalavan’s car, was part of a “planned attack” by the BJP and RSS and accused Polimer TV of colluding with them.
However, journalists and media associations have condemned the VCK’s rhetoric as a direct threat to press freedom. Following the accusations, the Polimer News journalist who reported the story has reportedly received over 600 abusive and threatening calls after his personal mobile number was leaked on social media platforms. Several online accounts linked to VCK supporters allegedly circulated the journalist’s contact details.
Polimer TV journalist who reported the story has been facing threats and harassment. His mobile number was leaked on social media, leading to over 600 abusive and threatening calls. https://t.co/AJNUAwSVzR
— Shabbir Ahmed (@Ahmedshabbir20) October 10, 2025
The Chennai Union of Journalists (CUJ) and Chennai Journalists Association (CJA) have issued a joint statement condemning the VCK leadership’s actions. They stated that the harassment of a working journalist over a factual news report amounted to “an attack on honest journalism” and urged the state government to ensure the safety of reporters covering political stories.
செய்தியை வெளியிட்டதற்காக ஊடக நிறுவனங்களை விசாரிக்க கோருவதா?
விடுதலை சிறுத்தைகள் கட்சியின் தலைவரும், எம்பியுமான தொல். திருமாவளவன் அவர்களுக்கு சென்னை பத்திரிகையாளர்கள் சங்கம், CUJ கண்டனம்!@polimernews @PttvNewsX @NewsTamilTV24x7 @nramind @splakshmanan76 @Ahmedshabbir20 https://t.co/nyoaysuWIq pic.twitter.com/v8h7TNeY61
— Chennai Union of Journalists (@ChennaiJournosX) October 10, 2025
Media observers note that the party’s demand for a police inquiry into a media outlet merely for publishing a visual of a public incident, raises concerns about political intimidation of independent news organizations. “Instead of clarifying facts through official channels, a sitting MP calling for police investigation into a newsroom sets a dangerous precedent,” a senior editor in Chennai remarked.
While VCK continues to insist that the news report was “deliberately distorted,” no evidence has yet been presented to substantiate the charge of political conspiracy. Meanwhile, journalist groups have urged the Tamil Nadu DGP and Home Department to take cognisance of the harassment faced by the Polimer reporter and ensure protection for all journalists operating in the state.
The controversy, observers say, underscores the growing tension between political parties and independent media houses — where allegations of bias are being used to justify intimidation, rather than accountability.
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