Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief Vijay’s transition from cinema to politics has not been smooth.
As an actor-turned-politician attempting to carve an independent political space, he now finds himself entangled in institutional pressure that raises troubling questions about democratic fairness.
The recent summons by the Central Bureau of Investigation to appear in Delhi with regard to Karur Stampede case that killed 41 people, is a prime example.
With CBI offices functioning across states, including Chennai, the insistence on Delhi appears less procedural and more punitive, adding physical and symbolic strain.
Simultaneously, Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan has faced hurdles in the form of re-censoring and related clearances.
When artistic projects are disrupted alongside political scrutiny, the pattern begins to resemble targeted harassment rather than coincidence.
This is not an isolated experience; Indian politics has repeatedly witnessed emerging or dissenting voices facing pressure through Enforcement Directorate raids, Income Tax Department actions, and prolonged legal battles.
Such practices invite a broader comparison. If the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party employs the same coercive tactics it once accused the Indian National Congress of using, what truly differentiates them?
Democracy weakens when institutions appear weaponized against political competition.
The real issue is not one individual or party, but whether India’s political system allows new entrants to rise without fear of administrative retaliation.
Kiran Sharma
