Hundreds of fans gathered outside London’s iconic The Shard on Tuesday hoping to catch a glimpse of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, but the planned public appearance was called off after the Metropolitan Police raised safety concerns.
Several supporters had reportedly been waiting for hours near the venue and at Vijay’s hotel. The event was eventually cancelled after organisers said they did not have the required permission to go ahead.
“For public safety concerns, we are calling off the programme because we don’t have permission due to safety concerns," a member of the chief minister’s team announced over a loudspeaker.
The cancellation left many fans disappointed. One young supporter, who had been waiting at Vijay’s hotel for hours, acknowledged the safety concerns but pointed to the size of the gathering.
“I think it’s reasonable, but all of these people have been waiting. This is hardly the kind of crowd we see in Tamil Nadu," the fan said.
Vijay in UK for investment outreach
Vijay is currently in the UK as part of a Tamil Nadu government delegation focused on attracting investments to the state.
During the visit, the delegation has secured multiple memoranda of understanding involving proposed investments of around Rs 12,300 crore, according to the Chief Minister’s Office. The commitments are expected to create more than 9,400 high-value jobs across Tamil Nadu.
The investment push is aimed at strengthening Tamil Nadu’s position in advanced manufacturing and technology.
London event comes after Karur tragedy
The cancellation comes less than a year after a major crowd-related tragedy at a TVK rally in Karur. A stampede at the political gathering on September 27, 2025, claimed 41 lives and led to questions over crowd management and accountability.
The London incident has once again brought attention to the challenges involved in managing large gatherings around Vijay, who has a substantial following from his years in cinema and his political career.
Vijay is expected to conclude his UK visit and return to India on Wednesday.