Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, recently made his political debut by launching the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party
Tamil actor and politician Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, has been granted ‘Y’ category security in Tamil Nadu by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The decision, first reported by multiple media outlets, follows an internal security audit conducted by the Intelligence Bureau.
According to India Today, which cited officials aware of the development, the enhanced security detail was provided based on the findings of this security assessment.
What Does ‘Y’ Category Security Mean?
As per an official notification issued by the Union Home Ministry on 13 February, Vijay’s security detail will include 8 to 11 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, along with one or two commandos. The ‘Y’ category cover is typically assigned to individuals facing a moderate security risk.
In India, security categories are divided into four levels: X, Y, Z, and Z+, with Z+ being the highest. The decision to provide security is based on an evaluation of potential threats by central intelligence agencies.
Reports indicate that the ‘Y’ security cover for Vijay is specifically intended for crowd management during his public appearances. The Centre believes that such security arrangements will help manage large gatherings more effectively, particularly as Vijay’s popularity continues to draw significant crowds.
Political Reactions and Controversy
The move has sparked debate, with opposition leaders questioning the motive behind the decision. Senior AIADMK leader K P Munusamy has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to woo Vijay ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
“The actor has emerged as the leader of a party attracting crowds wherever he goes. I would be happy if the Centre had been generous in providing him with security. If not, has he been given this security to win him over to the BJP side?” Munusamy told reporters, as per PTI.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai has criticised the ruling DMK government for not taking the initiative to provide security to Vijay. He questioned why the state government failed to act, despite the apparent risks posed by the massive crowds that gather at his events.
“Likewise, the central government gave ‘Y’ security to Vijay. The reason that Vijay is not able to meet the public is because of the huge crowds. Why didn’t the state government give Vijay this security? When there is a security threat, whenever huge crowds come together, why didn’t the state government come forward and give him security? There are X, Y, Z security categories in Tamil Nadu,” Annamalai said.
He also pointed out that the state government had earlier provided security to opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), despite the BJP’s political differences with AIADMK.
Vijay’s Political Ascent
Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, recently made his political debut by launching the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party. His entry into politics has been closely watched, with many predicting that he could emerge as a key player in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. His ability to draw massive crowds has only intensified speculation about his future electoral prospects.
With the ‘Y’ category security now in place, discussions around his political influence and potential alliances are likely to continue in the run-up to the 2026 state elections.