MGR’s Statue Vandalised In Madurai, AIADMK Stages Protest

On the night of 5 October 2025, a statue of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) founder MGR, located near the jallikattu arena in the Avaniyapuram area in Madurai, was found uprooted from its pedestal and damaged. www.ndtv.com+2The Times of India+2
The statue was reportedly 3.5-feet tall and had been in place since around 1990. The Times of India+2www.ndtv.com+2
Following the incident, the AIADMK party lodged a complaint with the Avaniyapuram police station, and police formed separate teams to analyse CCTV footage and identify the culprits. www.ndtv.com+1

AIADMK cadres staged a sit-in protest at the location demanding the immediate arrest of the “anti-social elements” who vandalised the statue. www.ndtv.com+1
The party’s General Secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), condemned the act, stating that it was a cowardly attempt to undermine the legacy of MGR and demanded swift and stringent action. Asianet Newsable
Local AIADMK leaders visited the spot, inspected the damage, re-installed the statue (after minor repair), and garlanded it in a show of reverence. Asianet Newsable+1

Statues of political leaders (especially icon-figures like MGR) in Tamil Nadu often carry strong sentiments and symbolic value for parties and communities. Hence vandalism of such monuments triggers major political reactions.
This incident comes at a sensitive time politically (with assembly elections approaching), and the party has used it to raise issues of respect, legacy and law & order.
From the administration’s side, the police response — investigating through CCTV footage, forming separate teams, and lodging formal complaints — shows the authorities treating the incident as non-trivial.

Whether the police succeed in identifying and arresting the persons responsible. News reports say efforts are underway. www.ndtv.com
Whether the vandalism is isolated or part of a trend of attacks on statues or public monuments in the region — for example, a similar incident was reported in Kanyakumari. The Times of India
Whether preventive measures (better security for monuments, CCTV, patrols) will be bolstered in the area or more widely across Tamil Nadu — the party has called for strengthened night-patrolling at the location. www.ndtv.com