2 hrs ago
Vijay’s London Event Cancelled After Crowd Safety Concerns
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was visiting London with a government delegation.
A public event was planned near The Shard so people could see him.
Hundreds of fans arrived, and some waited for several hours.
The crowd became difficult for security workers and officials to manage.
The Metropolitan Police raised safety concerns, and organisers said they did not have the needed permission.
Because of this, the event was cancelled.
Vijay’s team said his United Kingdom visit was meant to attract investment to Tamil Nadu.
Officials said proposed deals were worth about ₹12,300 crore and could create more than 9,400 jobs.
The AIADMK criticised the trip and questioned whether Vijay needed to travel abroad for this work.
Hundreds of fans gathered outside London’s The Shard to see Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
The planned public appearance was cancelled after Metropolitan Police intervention and concerns about public safety.
Organisers said they lacked the necessary permission to hold the event safely.
Vijay was in the United Kingdom leading a Tamil Nadu delegation seeking investment for the state.
The Chief Minister’s Office said proposed investments worth about ₹12,300 crore could create more than 9,400 jobs, while the AIADMK questioned the trip’s necessity.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, his delegation, fans, event organisers, the Metropolitan Police and opposition critics including the AIADMK.
- What
- A planned public appearance by Vijay near The Shard in London was cancelled over crowd-related safety concerns and a lack of necessary permission.
- Where
- Outside Shangri-La The Shard and in the London Bridge area of London, United Kingdom.
- When
- Tuesday, September 16, 2026, with Vijay expected to return to India on Wednesday.
- Why
- Hundreds of people gathered, creating public-safety and crowd-control concerns; organisers also said they had not secured the required permission.
State Government and Delegation
Opposition Critics
Purpose of the United Kingdom visit
State Government and Delegation
The Chief Minister’s Office said Vijay was leading an investment outreach mission and that proposed agreements worth about ₹12,300 crore could generate more than 9,400 jobs.
Opposition Critics
The AIADMK questioned whether Vijay needed to travel to the United Kingdom at taxpayers’ expense, including to promote investment involving a company established in India and headquartered in Noida.
Cancellation of the public appearance
State Government and Delegation
Vijay’s team said the event was called off because public safety could not be assured and the necessary permission had not been secured after an overwhelming crowd gathered.
Opposition Critics
Fans were disappointed after waiting for hours, while an eyewitness described the London Bridge and The Shard area as crowded and difficult for security and officials to contain.
Broader concerns about the itinerary
State Government and Delegation
The delegation highlighted investment agreements, including an approximately ₹11,000 crore memorandum involving Samvardhana Motherson International Limited and Guidance, Tamil Nadu.
Opposition Critics
Opposition parties questioned whether parts of the itinerary, including Vijay’s visit to Silverstone and meeting with actor and racer Ajith Kumar, were primarily focused on securing state investment.
Key facts
- Event status
- Cancelled on Tuesday after safety concerns and police intervention.
- Location
- Outside Shangri-La The Shard in London.
- Crowd
- Hundreds of fans gathered, with some reportedly waiting for hours.
- Organiser explanation
- Vijay’s team said the programme lacked the necessary permission because of safety concerns.
- Visit purpose
- To lead a Tamil Nadu delegation seeking global investment for the state.
- Proposed investment
- Multiple memoranda of understanding involving approximately ₹12,300 crore.
- Expected jobs
- More than 9,400 high-value jobs across Tamil Nadu.
- Political criticism
- The AIADMK questioned the need for the overseas trip and its cost to taxpayers.
Quotes
A member of Vijay’s team
A member of the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s team who announced the cancellation.
“London is absolutely chaotic to try and catch a glimpse of Vijay. The whole of london bridge/ shard area is packed. The locals are wondering what the hell is going on. Very hard for security and officials to contain right now”
livemint.com
“I think it's reasonable but all of these people have been waiting. This is hardly the kind of crowds we see in Tamil Nadu”
livemint.com
news18.com
Sources
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