Actor Vijay bats for secularism, Tamil, and removing Governor in first rally

Eight months after announcing his electoral debut, Vijay, one of the most celebrated actors in Tamil cinema, on Sunday held his first political rally in Villupuram district. At the rally, Vijay announced his party’s ideology and goals, focusing on equality, social justice, secularism, promotion of Tamil as the administrative language in courts and removing the post of the Governor.
The mega state-level conference of Vijay’s newly-launched political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), saw an influx of lakhs of his supporters unabated by excess heat.
Revealing his party’s ideology, Vijay emphasised the importance of promoting Tamil as the “language of the court and temple” in Tamil Nadu, advocating for a cultural renaissance that respects regional heritage.
The conference was filled with symbolic gestures and moments that resonated with supporters. As Vijay hoisted the TVK flag, supporters cheered and tossed shawls in the party colours, one of which he donned.

“It’s our duty to convey our ideology to the people and introduce them to our ideological leaders, those who have tirelessly worked for the people of this soil,” Vijay said.
The 50-year-old actor reaffirmed the party’s alignment with the philosophies of Periyar, a towering figure in Tamil Nadu’s social justice movement, who he cited as an inspirational leader.
“Yes, Periyar is our ideological leader. Our party respects all religious beliefs, yet we uphold principles like women’s education, women empowerment, and social justice that Periyar advocated. These are the values we will carry forward,” he said.
Vijay also said that Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, is an ideological leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, highlighting his dedication to social equity.
“Those who seek to divide society are often threatened by Ambedkar’s legacy alone,” he said.
Vijay also said that his party has special respect for women leaders from Tamil Nadu’s history, including Velu Nachiyar, the first queen to oppose British colonial forces, and Anjalai Ammal, a prominent social activist. “We are the first political party to proudly project women as ideological leaders,” he added.

TVK’s manifesto includes specific goals:
Discussing TVK’s stance on key political issues, Vijay said that his party’s approach draws from both Dravidianism and Tamil nationalism, describing them as “the two eyes of our soil”. Rather than limiting TVK’s identity to one faction, he pitched for broader secular values focused on justice, unity, and societal growth.
Vijay shared his reasons for leaving a thriving film career to enter politics, describing it as a decision born of duty to the public. “What will we do making money after a point? What will I do for the people who made my life?” he asked.
In a symbolic gesture, party officials presented Vijay with copies of the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, the Quran, and the Constitution, underscoring TVK’s secular foundation. The rally concluded with the release of TVK’s ideological anthem, setting a spirited tone for the party’s journey ahead.