TVK Chief Vijay Holds First Puducherry Rally Post-Karur Tragedy; Demands Statehood, Attacks DMK

In this Special Report, India Today's Senior Editor Pramod Madhav details the tense security situation at TVK Chief Vijay's rally in Puducherry. Following the tragic Karur stampede which claimed 41 lives, authorities have capped attendance at 5,000 and mandated QR code entry passes to prevent overcrowding. The police have denied permission for a roadshow, limiting the event to a static meeting at Uppalam Expo Ground to ensure public safety. Vijay, the leader of Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), criticized the DMK government in Tamil Nadu while praising Puducherry CM N Rangasamy for the security arrangements. He also raised the demand for statehood for the Union Territory.