‘Avoid religion, caste like we avoid drugs’: Actor Vijay tells Class 10, 12 toppers in Tamil Nadu

Felicitating Class 10 and 12 top-performing students of Tamil Nadu, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party president and actor Vijay said on Friday, “We need to avoid religion and caste like we avoid drugs.”

He urged students not to follow the "idea of division based" on caste and religion. "Never allow such things to disturb your mind...," actor-turned-politician Vijay was quoted by news agency ANI.

Vijay asked, “Does nature, like the Sun or rain, have a caste or religion?” and said, “We need to avoid religion and caste like we avoid drugs.”

He further urged students to ask everyone in their homes to perform their democratic duty and "elect good, trustworthy people."

"Democracy gives equal opportunities. Ask everyone in your home to perform their democratic duty...Ask them to elect good, trustworthy people who have not indulged in corruption," Vijay said.

Class 10 and 12 toppers from 88 constituencies were felicitated with a certificate and cash prize by TVK Chief Vijay in an event which was held at a private resort in Mahaballipuram.

While speaking at the event before felicitating the student, Vijay congratulated all the students for the achievement.

Vijay said, " My dear young leaders and parents. Greetings to everyone. Yes...Young leaders and parents - how are you all? Very, very happy to meet you all. Congratulations on this beautiful achievement"

‘Education is achievement’

Vijay also mentioned, “Education is achievement. I won't deny that. But that doesn't mean we need to achieve a particular subject. Don't get anxious by thinking about something repeatedly. Why am I saying this? Is NEET only a world? Beyond NEET, many things are there to achieve, and this world is big. Have democracy. If democracy exists, then only this world and various fields can be with freedom.”

ve also noted, "Proper democracy gives equal opportunities. As a First step for this, ask everyone at home to do their Democratic duty. Doing your democratic duty is not a big deal, it is a simple thing. Ask them to elect good people, trustworthy people and those who haven't done any corruption so far. As simple as that. This is their duty".

'Don't money for votes'

Vijay urged people not to take money for votes and also warned that next year they could drop money in vehicles..

"Two years back, I said in a similar event that we shouldn't encourage money for votes. Follow that. You could see next year what is going to happen. They are going to drop money in vehicles. All that money is stolen from you. What are you going to do? You all know what to do. I don't need to make you realise," Vijay was quoted by ANI as saying.

Reacting to recent controversy over the UPSC exam, where the question was asked about Periyar with his caste name, Vijay said, "In recent times, Thanthai Periyar was painted with caste. In the UPSC exam, they have asked a question regarding Periyar with the caste name. We strongly condemn this"

"Don't be emotional about everything. Have a scientific and technical approach. Now we have AI, and we need that approach to face the AI world. The sky is vast and white, and you have strong wings. So feel free to fly like a bird with courage and confidence," Vijay said.

(With inputs from ANI)