Actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has moved the Madras High Court against two key clauses in the Tamil Nadu government’s SOP for public gatherings dated January 5, 2026. The SOP covers conduct of public meetings, processions, protests, and other events with over 5,000 people. TVK seeks to quash clauses 6(c) and 8(g)1, calling them illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional violations of natural justice. Clause 6(c) gives priority booking rights to political parties recognised by the Election Commission of India, based on each party’s legislative assembly strength. TVK, being a registered party without assembly representation, says this discriminates against smaller and newer parties. It called this classification unconstitutional. Clause 8(g)1 requires organisers of large events to fully manage crowd safety and order. TVK argues this places an unfair and excessive burden on organisers. Deputy General Secretary C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, in an affidavit, said, “It shifts core State obligations onto political parties and operates as a deterrent to political participation. This also amounts to a colourable exercise of power, designed to stifle the lawful political activities of the petitioner party, in gross violation of Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution.” TVK has asked the court to direct the Home Secretary to frame new SOP rules fairly, after considering all political parties’ views.