Karur, Tamil Nadu: The Karur stampede Vijay rally on September 27 tragically claimed at least 40 lives, including women and children, and left more than 70 people injured. Actor-politician Vijay expressed his grief and announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased, while authorities face scrutiny over safety measures at the event.
Vijay expressed his grief over the incident and announced that Rs 20 lakh would be provided to the families of those who lost their lives. “It is not a huge amount for your loss, but it is my duty to stand with you in this hour of grief,” he said, addressing the public.
The stampede occurred around 7:30 PM while Vijay was addressing his supporters from atop his campaign vehicle. Thousands had gathered since the afternoon to witness the TVK chief. The crowd surged forward when people began fainting, causing panic and chaos.
Political Reactions and Accountability
BJP leader K Annamalai criticized both the TVK and the state administration, stating that “the government utterly failed in crowd management, and TVK must also take responsibility for the rally’s planning.” He demanded a CBI investigation to ensure impartiality, noting that the state-appointed inquiry may not be fully unbiased.
Tamil Nadu ADGP Davidson Devasirvatham confirmed that there was no stone-pelting during the rally but stated that the TVK leadership had violated safety protocols.
MDMK MP Durai Vaiko called the incident a “nationally alarming tragedy” and stressed that organizers must adhere to safety regulations during mass gatherings.
The state government has appointed retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan to lead a detailed commission probing the incident. Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin confirmed that the commission would interview affected families and submit a report to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who would take further action based on its recommendations.
Compensation Announced
The Tamil Nadu government has declared Rs 10 lakh compensation for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those injured. Karur District Collector M Thangavel confirmed that a help desk has been established at local hospitals to assist the victims’ families.
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and BJP leader C.N. Ashwath Narayan offered condolences and highlighted the need for stronger preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
The incident has sparked nationwide attention, raising questions about crowd control measures at large political gatherings and the responsibilities of organizers and authorities alike.
