LONDON / CHENNAI: A public event planned for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay outside London’s landmark Shard skyscraper was cancelled after the Metropolitan Police raised concerns over crowd safety, officials said. Hundreds of supporters had gathered at the venue and several had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the actor-turned-politician.
Police safety concerns halt open programme
The chief minister’s team announced the cancellation over a loudspeaker after being informed that formal permission could not be granted on safety grounds. A member of Vijay’s party said the decision was taken to avoid risk to the public.
“For public safety concerns, we are calling off the programme because we don't have permission due to safety concerns,”
The source did not provide a direct statement from the Metropolitan Police; the action was described by the chief minister’s team as prompted by the force’s assessment of the situation outside the Shard.
Party appeals to fans to disperse
Hours after the cancellation, the ruling party’s IT wing used social media to request that well-wishers avoid congregating at the hotel entrance or along the chief minister’s travel route. The post on X (formerly Twitter) said organisers were mindful of public safety and asked fans not to attempt to meet the chief minister.
“We would be filled with love and heartfelt enthusiasm to meet the Tamil Nadu chief minister… However, keeping the safety of the public in mind and considering the request of the London Metropolitan Police, an unavoidable situation has arisen where the chief minister and victorious leader cannot meet with you,” the post said.
Local officials and police at the venue were reported to have been managing crowd movement before the cancellation. There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests related to the gathering.
Delegation on investment mission, MOUs announced
The cancellation comes during Vijay’s official visit to the United Kingdom as head of a state delegation pursuing investments for Tamil Nadu. The chief minister’s office said the delegation had signed multiple memoranda of understanding worth about ₹12,300 crore during the trip, aimed at positioning the state as an advanced manufacturing and technology hub.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Investment MOUs signed | ₹12,300 crore |
| Projected jobs from projects | More than 9,400 high-value jobs |
Officials framed the visit as part of a broader effort to attract technology and advanced manufacturing projects to the state. The chief minister is scheduled to conclude the UK trip and return to India later in the week, the office said.
Local impact and diaspora engagement
The episode highlights the challenges of high-profile political travel abroad, particularly for leaders with celebrity status who attract large public followings. In addition to the diplomatic and commercial objectives of the visit, managing public appearances has required coordination with local police and security agencies.
- Event location: outside The Shard, central London.
- Reason for cancellation: Metropolitan Police raised crowd safety concerns.
- State delegation outcome: MOUs totalling ₹12,300 crore, projecting over 9,400 jobs.
Representatives of the chief minister’s office said the decision to call off the public programme was taken to prioritise safety and adhere to the Metropolitan Police’s guidance. The party has asked supporters to follow official advisories and avoid assembling near the chief minister’s accommodation or along transit routes.
The incident is likely to prompt a review of crowd-management plans for future overseas engagements, especially where political leaders with large fan followings are involved. For now, officials emphasised that the investment discussions would continue as planned and that the chief minister’s delegation remained focussed on concluding formal agreements.
Reporting from London and state capitals indicates there were no official changes to the investment announcements despite the cancelled public meeting. The delegation’s claimed MOUs will be subject to the usual follow-up and formalisation processes, the chief minister’s office said.
Selvan Murugesan, WE NEWS correspondent
