Actor Vijay urges students to ask parents to vote without accepting bribes

Chennai: In the midst of rumours that he would make his electoral debut, popular Tamil film star Vijay urged students on Saturday to urge their parents to vote in polls without taking bribes so they can witness the change for themselves.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the minister for the development of sports and youth welfare in Tamil Nadu, seemed to be appreciative of his heartfelt request.

"He has said a good thing. What's your problem," Udhayanidhi shot back when reporters sought his reaction to Vijay's appeal.

Asked about the actor's debut into politics, the Minister said anyone has a right to enter the political arena.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan, an ally of the ruling DMK, welcomed the actor's request to students to acquire knowledge on the social reformers.

Felicitating toppers of Classes 10 and 12 from the state at a function in Neelangarai here, Vijay said: "Ask your parents to vote without accepting bribe during the elections. Try, you may succeed and see the change."

The students who will soon become first-time voters should realise the merits of electing a leader without accepting cash for votes. "When this happens, your education becomes complete," he said.

Vijay cautioned them "against poking their own eyes with their hands" by accepting money for votes.

"Consider a politician who gives Rs 1,000 to a voter in a constituency that has 1.5 lakh voters. How much he must have given as bribe -- nearly 15 crores? If a person gives a bribe of Rs 15 crore, think how much he must have earned before that. I want all this to be a part of your educational system," the popular actor said as the students who had gathered gave a rousing applause.

Also, he exhorted the young minds not to stop acquiring bookish knowledge but go beyond it and learn about all the leaders including B R Ambedkar, E V R Periyar, K Kamaraj and imbue only their good aspects.

"I have one small request to make. Do spend time with those who could not succeed in their exams. Tell them passing in exams is easy and encourage them," he said.

"Also never take wrong decisions, take bold decisions. As you go up in life, handle the freedom that you get with self-discipline, have fun in life but don't give up your identity. Our life is in our hands," Vijay advised.

Unlike the toppers, the actor mentioned that he was never a bright student. "I was not a bright student like you but only an average just pass student. My journey has been in the direction of cinemas...remember, education will be complete only if you give importance to your character and thinking ability," he added.

His fans association -- Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam -- which transformed into a welfare organisation, contested the 2021 civic polls in the state and won 115 seats out of 169 it contested.

With PTI inputs