Vijay leads anti-drug marathon amid row over minister Sarath’s viral video
On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay led a massive anti-drug awareness campaign in Chennai by flagging off a marathon along Marina Beach before surprising participants by joining them for the three-kilometre run.
Dressed in tracks, sneakers and sunglasses, Vijay ran alongside hundreds of participants wearing a “Start Run, Stop Drugs” T-shirt, drawing loud cheers from the crowd, particularly youngsters. Before the marathon, the Chief Minister wrote the slogan “Sporta Edu, Drugs Vidu” (Take up sports and give up drugs) on an awareness board, which was later signed by several ministers in support of the campaign.
Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna accompanied Vijay during the run and praised the Chief Minister’s fitness, saying he was the only Chief Minister to complete a 3-km marathon and expressing hope that Tamil Nadu would become a healthier state under his leadership. Vijay also administered an anti-drug pledge, urging citizens to stay away from narcotics, help those battling addiction and contribute towards building a drug-free society.
However, the government’s anti-drug campaign coincided with a controversy involving Human Resources Management Minister D. Sarath Kumar, after an old video from an IPL match resurfaced on social media. The clip appeared to show the minister crushing a white powder-like substance on a mobile phone using an ATM card, prompting allegations online that he was using narcotics.
Sarath Kumar has strongly denied the allegations, saying the substance was a medicine tablet that he crushed for his young daughter, who was unwell at the time and unable to swallow it. His wife also appeared in a clarification video backing his version of events, describing the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. While the explanation has been accepted by his supporters, opposition parties have questioned the circumstances surrounding the viral clip and sought further clarification. A senior police officer has reportedly said the video will be examined in light of the allegations.
The timing of the controversy has drawn attention as it emerged on the same day the Chief Minister publicly reiterated his government’s commitment to eliminating drug abuse, making the anti-drug campaign and the minister’s viral video two of the most discussed political developments in Tamil Nadu.