Tamil Nadu: Vijay’s Furious Call for Justice in Custodial Death Protests

Chennai, Tamil Nadu – In a defiant display of political intent and social conscience, actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay spearheaded a massive protest in Chennai on Sunday, July 13, 2025. The demonstration, attended by a significant number of TVK members, was a resounding call for custodial death justice, specifically demanding accountability for the death of Ajith Kumar, who allegedly died while in police custody, alongside other similar incidents plaguing the state.

The protest served as a powerful platform for Vijay to articulate his party’s stance against what he described as a failing law and order situation in Tamil Nadu. With an impassioned address to the gathered crowd, Vijay launched a scathing critique of the current state government, questioning its dedication to upholding justice and maintaining public order. His words resonated with the urgency of a leader determined to effect change, as he declared that the government must rectify its shortcomings before its term concludes, or face the collective will of TVK and the people.

Vijay Demands Broader Custodial Death Justice

A pivotal moment in Vijay’s address was his commentary on Chief Minister MK Stalin’s apology to Ajith Kumar’s family. While acknowledging the act of apology itself was not inherently wrong, Vijay asserted that it fell short of true custodial death justice. He emphasized that a mere apology was insufficient, urging the Chief Minister to extend similar acknowledgments to the families of the 24 other individuals who have reportedly perished in custody during the current government’s tenure. Vijay’s pointed query about whether these families received financial aid comparable to Ajith Kumar’s family highlighted a perceived disparity and reinforced his demand for equitable custodial death justice across the board.

The TVK president did not shy away from drawing parallels to past high-profile cases, specifically invoking the infamous Sathankulam custodial torture case. This case, which garnered national attention and was ultimately handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), became a powerful rhetorical tool in Vijay’s hands. He challenged the government’s current stance, which now often labels the CBI as a “mouthpiece of the BJP and RSS,” by questioning why the government was seemingly “hiding behind the Union Government” when it came to seeking external intervention for custodial death justice. This line of questioning underscored his belief that the state government was avoiding its responsibilities.

Government Inaction Hinders Custodial Death Justice

Vijay further alleged a pattern of governmental inaction, citing several serious incidents, including the Anna University case and the very case of Ajith Kumar, which he claimed necessitated intervention from the courts. His rhetoric painted a picture of a state where the judiciary was consistently forced to step in to ensure that custodial death justice was served, in the absence of proactive measures from the executive. He directly questioned the government’s role if the courts continually had to intercede to secure justice for its citizens, implying a dereliction of duty on the part of the administration.

The tragic incident involving Ajith Kumar, a temple guard from Sivaganga, remains at the heart of the protests. Kumar was taken into custody for questioning regarding a theft at the Madapuram Kaliamman temple in Tirupuvanam and subsequently died while in police custody. The circumstances surrounding his death have fueled widespread outrage and calls for immediate action. In a significant development, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has intervened, directing the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to appoint an investigating officer within a week to thoroughly probe Ajith Kumar’s custodial death. This judicial directive underscores the gravity of the situation and the public’s demand for a comprehensive investigation.

The protest led by Vijay and TVK signals a burgeoning political force in Tamil Nadu, one that is unafraid to confront critical social issues head-on. The demand for custodial death justice is not merely a political slogan but a deeply felt societal need for transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties. As the political landscape in Tamil Nadu continues to evolve, the calls for justice emanating from such protests will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and future policy decisions, ensuring that no more lives are lost without a thorough and just investigation. The emphasis on custodial death justice will likely remain a key issue as the state moves forward.