TVK rally row: Painted doves trigger animal cruelty concerns after clips go viral

Chennai: As Tamil Nadu votes in the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections, a controversy has emerged from the campaign trail of actor-politician C Joseph Vijay in Tiruchy, drawing sharp criticism from animal welfare groups.

Visuals from Vijay’s campaign in Tiruchy have surfaced online, showing doves allegedly being painted in party colours before being released into the air. Clips also have been widely shared on social media over the past two days appear to show TVK cadres handling white doves and applying red and yellow colours that resemble the party’s flag.

In one of the videos, a party worker is seen holding a bird while its wings, tail feathers and body are coloured. Another clip shows Vijay releasing one of the birds during what appears to be a roadshow-style campaign event.

Outrage from Animal Welfare activists

The incident has triggered strong reactions from animal welfare activists, who have criticised the use of live animals for political display. They argue that such actions reflect a disregard for the safety and ethical treatment of animals.

Experts have pointed out that birds are particularly sensitive and that applying chemical colours or dyes to their feathers can be harmful. There are concerns that toxic substances could be ingested when birds clean themselves, while rough handling may lead to stress, injury or trauma.

Animal Welfare Board responds

Shruti Vinod Raj, a member of the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board, condemned the act and confirmed that steps are being taken to identify those involved.

“This is a highly condemnable act. Animals and birds cannot be used for publicity or political symbolism. We are trying to find out the person who painted the birds so that a formal complaint can be lodged,” she said.

High-stakes election 

The controversy comes at a time when the Tamil Nadu elections have drawn significant attention due to the entry of new political players. While the contest largely revolves around traditional rivals, Vijay’s TVK has added an element of unpredictability to the race.

Vijay is contesting from key constituencies including Tiruchirapalli East and Perambur, making his electoral debut in what is seen as a closely watched political contest.

The elections are being held in a single phase across all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for 4 May.

With agency inputs