✦. The Karur Stampede – A Brutal Outcome of Image Politics
On September 27, 2025, during actor Vijay’s election roadshow in Karur, a tragic stampede claimed 40 lives, including 9 children and 17 women, while hundreds were injured.
This horrific event revealed how “image-driven politics” can directly claim the lives of people. The political stage, instead of ensuring the safety of citizens, has turned into a violent spectacle where lives are sacrificed for the sake of political symbolism.
✦. Vijay’s Image Politics – The Roots in Social Psychology
Vijay’s political power is rooted in his cinematic image:
1990s → Romantic hero, “Prince of Love,” who won the hearts of youth and women.
2000s → Larger-than-life savior, fighting against corruption and injustice.
2010s onwards → Family sentiment, dance, comedy, combined with strong political undertones (Thalaivaa, Kaththi, Sarkar, Mersal).
This cinematic construction created a psychological link: the film hero = the people’s savior. Vijay’s supporters thus began to imagine him as a real political leader, not merely an actor.
✦. Historical Parallels – MGR, Jayalalithaa, Rajinikanth
Tamil Nadu has a long tradition of actors entering politics:
M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) → His reformist roles and on-screen compassion matched his political actions, making him a true mass leader.
Jayalalithaa → Projected as a “benevolent mother” and an “iron lady,” she built an independent political image beyond cinema.
Rajinikanth → Despite his massive popularity, he failed politically due to lack of ideological foundation.
Vijay → Attempts to seize AIADMK’s space by projecting an “MGR-like savior image,” but without clear political ideology.
✦. Global Image Politics – Comparative Perspectives
Vijay’s rise is not unique to Tamil Nadu. Across the world, image-based politics has shaped leadership:
Donald Trump (USA) → Built his political brand through television, projecting himself as a “strong businessman-leader.” His politics thrived on spectacle and populist promises.
Silvio Berlusconi (Italy) → Used his media empire to craft an image as “the people’s friend,” repeatedly becoming Prime Minister, though marred by corruption scandals.
Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukraine) → A comedian who played a “President” on TV, later elected as real President. His cinematic image gave him entry into politics, but the war with Russia forced him to prove genuine leadership.
Lesson: Image politics may bring leaders to power, but without ideology and leadership skills, it cannot sustain governance.
✦. The Fascist Cult – Tamil Nadu’s Danger
Vijay’s political speeches often lack ideological clarity or policy depth. Yet his image functions like a cult:
● The actor’s face replaces political principles.
● Supporters worship the star, not the leader.
This tendency creates fertile ground for fascist-style politics, where blind loyalty replaces rational political engagement. Such dynamics may also make Vijay a natural ally for the BJP, similar to Pawan Kalyan’s role in Andhra Pradesh.
✦. Politics of Stampedes – The Price Paid by the People
The Karur tragedy exposes the dangers of roadshow politics:
● Mass gatherings without safety measures put lives at risk.
● Politics turns into a carnival of spectacle rather than a platform for ideology.
● In Tamil Nadu, political roadshows should be banned for the safety of citizens.
● Mass mobilizations must be reserved for ideological causes, not the mere sight of a film star.
✦. Lessons for the Youth
Two thousand years ago, the Tamil sage Thiruvalluvar advised:
“Whatever is spoken, by whomsoever it is spoken, wisdom is to discern the truth within it.”
For today’s youth, this means:
● Don’t confuse cinematic fantasy with political reality.
● Don’t assume a film hero can solve real-world issues.
● Examine whether a leader has vision, ideology, and the ability to implement solutions before offering political trust.
Vijay’s cult of image politics may hypnotize sections of youth, but Tamil national politics must rest on identity, language, education, employment, equality, autonomy, and liberation.
✦. Conclusion:
The Karur stampede tragedy will remain a dark symbol of image-based politics in Tamil Nadu.
The future must reject such ideology-less spectacle politics. Instead, Tamil Nadu must build politics rooted in Tamil national ideals – liberation, equality, social justice, and sovereignty.
Only then can the people move beyond the dangerous illusions of cinematic hero-worship and reclaim politics as a space of genuine vision and leadership.
Written by: Eelaththu Nilavan
Tamil National Historian | Global Politics, Economy & Military Analyst
29/09/2025
