The Karur stampede, which resulted in 41 fatalities and over 100 injuries at actor-politician Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally, has ignited a contentious blame game in Tamil Nadu. Authorities returned the victims’ bodies to their families on Sunday, while many injured individuals remain in critical condition at Karur Government Hospital. Police attributed the disorder to overcrowding, noting that TVK was authorized for 10,000 attendees, yet approximately 25,000 showed up. They also cited Vijay’s delayed arrival and the organizers’ failure to adhere to safety protocols, including parking restrictions for his campaign bus. An FIR has been lodged against TVK leaders for culpable homicide and endangerment.
However, TVK’s legal representatives refuted the police account, alleging a political conspiracy and calling for an unbiased investigation. A petition has been submitted to temporarily prohibit TVK from holding public meetings until the inquiry concludes. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin met with the families of the victims, announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the deceased, and ₹1 lakh for the injured, while appointing retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to lead the inquiry committee. BJP leaders characterized the incident as a collective failure of both the government and Vijay, and while Congress leaders offered condolences, they highlighted the need for accountability among political figures.
This incident, regarded as one of the most severe tragedies associated with a political event in Tamil Nadu’s history, has raised concerns regarding crowd management, political accountability, and the safety of large gatherings.
