Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Vijay’s London Fan Event Cancelled Over Police Safety Concerns
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was visiting the United Kingdom with a government delegation.
The delegation said it was trying to attract investment to Tamil Nadu.
A public event was planned outside The Shard in London so fans could see Vijay.
Hundreds of people arrived, and some waited for several hours.
Police became concerned about keeping the large crowd safe.
Vijay’s team also said the necessary permission was not available.
The event was therefore cancelled, leaving many fans disappointed.
Officials said the visit produced proposed investments of about ₹12,300 crore and could create more than 9,400 jobs.
Some opposition politicians questioned whether the trip was necessary and worth its cost.
Hundreds of fans gathered outside London’s The Shard to see Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
The event was called off after Metropolitan Police raised public-safety concerns and organisers said required permission was unavailable.
Some fans reportedly waited for hours, while an eyewitness described the London Bridge and Shard area as chaotic.
Vijay’s UK delegation reported MoUs involving approximately ₹12,300 crore and more than 9,400 expected high-value jobs.
The AIADMK questioned the trip’s purpose and cost, while reports cited investment commitments ranging from ₹12,300 crore to ₹15,300 crore.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, his delegation, fans, event organisers, the Metropolitan Police, TVK supporters and AIADMK critics.
- What
- A planned public interaction outside The Shard was cancelled after police raised crowd-safety concerns and organisers said required permission was unavailable.
- When
- Tuesday, September 16, 2026; Vijay was expected to return to India on Wednesday.
- Where
- Outside The Shard and around the London Bridge area in London, United Kingdom.
- Why
- A large crowd created public-safety and crowd-management concerns, and organisers said they did not have the necessary permission.
Government and Delegation
Opposition Critics
Purpose of the UK visit
Government and Delegation
The Chief Minister’s Office said Vijay was leading an investment outreach mission that produced proposed agreements worth about ₹12,300 crore and could create more than 9,400 jobs.
Opposition Critics
The AIADMK questioned whether Vijay needed to travel to the UK at taxpayers’ expense, particularly when one company involved was established in India and headquartered in Noida.
Cancellation of the fan event
Government and Delegation
Vijay’s team said the programme had to be cancelled because public safety could not be assured and the required permission was unavailable.
Opposition Critics
Fans were disappointed after waiting for hours, while an eyewitness described the London Bridge and The Shard area as chaotic and difficult for officials and security personnel to contain.
Broader UK itinerary
Government and Delegation
The delegation highlighted investment agreements, including an approximately ₹11,000 crore MoU involving Samvardhana Motherson International Limited and Guidance, Tamil Nadu.
Opposition Critics
Opposition parties questioned whether activities such as Vijay’s visit to Silverstone and meeting with actor and racer Ajith Kumar were primarily focused on securing investment for Tamil Nadu.
- Event status
- The planned public appearance was called off after Metropolitan Police intervention and safety concerns.
- Crowd
- Hundreds of fans gathered, with some reportedly waiting for hours.
- Location
- The Shard and the surrounding London Bridge area, including the Shangri-La hotel vicinity.
- Visit purpose
- Vijay led a Tamil Nadu delegation seeking investment in the state.
- Reported MoUs
- The Chief Minister’s Office cited multiple memoranda of understanding involving approximately ₹12,300 crore.
- Expected employment
- The proposed investments were expected to generate more than 9,400 high-value jobs.
- Reported investment discrepancy
- A separate Times of India report cited approximately ₹15,300 crore, including MoUs and a letter of intent.
- Major agreement
- A London MoU between Samvardhana Motherson International Limited and Guidance, Tamil Nadu, was reported at approximately ₹11,000 crore.
Sources
CM Vijay’s London event cancelled: What happened and why police raised safety concerns
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay’s London Event Cancelled After Police Raise Safety Concerns
CM Vijay's London Event Cancelled over Safety Concerns
London police cancels Vijay's event citing safety reasons
