Man with gun tries to enter Vijay's rally; detained
What's the story
A man carrying a gun was detained by security personnel while trying to enter a public meeting of actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) party in Puducherry on Tuesday. The incident took place at the Expo Ground, which was heavily secured for the event. The man was identified as David, a guard for Prabhu, the Sivagangai District Secretary of TVK, according to India Today.
Security protocols
Strict security measures implemented for Vijay's rally
The Puducherry Police had issued a detailed advisory ahead of the meeting, imposing strict safety and crowd control measures. Senior Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) R Kalaivanan confirmed that attendance was limited to 5,000 people, as per TVK's request. The police also barred residents of neighboring Tamil Nadu from entering the venue to avoid inconvenience.
Twitter Post
Large number of people gather for Vijay's political rally
#WATCH | Puducherry | A large number of gather for TVK Chief Actor Vijay's political rally in Uppalam Expo Ground.
— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2025
For the first time since the stampede during his rally in Karur that killed 41 people, actor-politician Vijay is set to host a public meeting in Puducherry… pic.twitter.com/bcKDzqJ5a0
Entry regulations
Venue access restricted to QR-coded invites
Entry to the venue was restricted to those with valid QR-coded invites issued by TVK. Parking was allowed at designated spots such as Puducherry Marina and the old port area. Organizers were also directed to ensure basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, ambulances, and fire engines at the venue. Furthermore, children, pregnant women, and the elderly were not permitted entry due to safety concerns.
Recent tragedy
Vijay's rally follows tragic Karur stampede
The public meeting was Vijay's first outdoor political event since the Karur stampede in September, which claimed 41 lives. The Tamil Nadu government had blamed Vijay's delayed arrival for the tragedy, a claim he dismissed as a political conspiracy by the ruling DMK. Vijay hopes to expand his party's influence in Puducherry, where the current ruling coalition is NR Congress-BJP alliance and the opposition bloc comprises Congress-DMK. After this rally, he will continue his tour in Tamil Nadu from Erode.