Chennai, Nov 6 (NationPress) The founder of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and sitting Member of Parliament, Thol Thirumavalavan, expressed his unwavering support for the Madras High Court's recent initiative to regulate political rallies and public gatherings. He asserted that the unchecked rise of large roadshows and rallies in recent years poses a threat to lives, disrupts democratic equality, and reduces individuals to mere "electoral commodities".

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Thirumavalavan noted that mobilizing the public for rallies, meetings, and demonstrations has been a historical practice in India, both pre-and post-Independence.

However, he raised concerns about the current trend of artificially orchestrating large crowds, often for political theatrics or the glorification of personalities, which has resulted in dire outcomes.

"Individuals are no longer gathering out of genuine belief or political consciousness; they are being treated as exhibition objects by parties that expend vast sums to assemble them. In Tamil Nadu, there have been instances, such as the Karur tragedy where 41 lives were lost, where thousands were compelled to endure the heat for hours," he stated.

Thirumavalavan emphasized that roadshows in both small towns and major cities disrupt everyday life, leading to significant material losses and fatalities.

"Wealthy parties leverage these events to amplify their influence, leaving smaller parties at a disadvantage. This undermines the essence of parliamentary democracy, which is built on the principle of equal value for every vote—one person, one vote," he remarked.

He welcomed the Election Commission's initiative to limit roadshows during election periods, advocating that such regulations should extend beyond just campaign seasons.

"The roadshow model should face a complete ban. Political engagements must shift to public meetings where voters can express their views freely," he suggested.

Highlighting the influence of modern media on political discourse, Thirumavalavan stated that social and visual media should become the primary platforms for campaigning.

He also called upon the state government to implement ongoing measures to combat hate speech, not just during elections but continuously.

"Candidates should interact with voters through regulated media channels instead of congesting the streets or fostering divisions along caste and religious lines," he concluded.