In his first public statement since the devastating stampede at his rally in Karur on September 27 that claimed 41 lives, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay expressed profound grief, offered condolences to the victims’ families, and urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to refrain from targeting his party workers. Describing the incident as the most painful moment of his life, Vijay accused authorities of failing to provide a safe venue despite repeated requests and vowed to uncover the full truth soon. Three TVK functionaries remain in judicial custody amid ongoing investigations into the overcrowding that led to the chaos.
Vijay’s Emotional Video Message
Releasing a heartfelt video on Tuesday, Vijay, visibly emotional, stated: “I have never faced such a painful situation in my life. I am in deep pain… Leaving aside all politics, we always request permission from the police for a safe place. But things that shouldn’t have happened have happened… I will soon meet the victims… I convey my deepest condolences to the family who are grieving due to the loss… My party functionaries have been arrested by the police… Chief Minister, sir, I request you—please do not harm my party functionaries. You may come to my house or my office and take any action against me, but not against them… Soon, every truth will come out.”
He explained his absence from the site post-incident as a deliberate choice to avoid escalating tensions, emphasizing his commitment to the affected families. Earlier, on September 28, Vijay announced financial aid of ₹20 lakh per deceased victim’s family and ₹2 lakh for the injured, alongside assurances of medical support through TVK.
The Karur Rally Stampede: What Unfolded
The tragedy struck during Vijay’s campaign rally at Velusamypuram in Karur district, drawing an estimated 2 lakh supporters—far exceeding the permitted 50,000. Eyewitnesses reported panic after Vijay’s delayed arrival and a song criticizing DMK minister V. Senthil Balaji, leading to a crush near the stage. Among the 41 dead were 10 children, 17 women, and 14 men; over 60 others were injured, with many still under treatment.
An FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for culpable homicide, endangering lives, and disobedience was filed against three TVK leaders: Karur district secretary Mathiyazhagan (arrested on September 29), state general secretary Bussy N. Anand, and joint secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar. Police alleged the functionaries ignored warnings about overcrowding, conducted unauthorized roadshows, and failed to control the crowd. Additional arrests include Karur functionary Paun Raj for sheltering Mathiyazhagan and YouTuber Felix Gerald for related content.
TVK has filed petitions in the Madras High Court, alleging a DMK-orchestrated conspiracy and bias in rally permissions. The Madurai Bench is set to hear the case on September 29, with a hearing scheduled for October 3.
Political Backlash and Condolences
Vijay’s plea to Stalin has intensified the political row, with TVK accusing the DMK government of “revenge politics.” The ruling DMK announced ₹10 lakh ex-gratia per family and visited affected homes, while opposition parties like BJP demanded a Supreme Court probe.
Nationwide condolences poured in: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, and BJP’s J.P. Nadda expressed grief and prayers for the injured. An NDA delegation, including Union Minister L. Murugan, visited Karur to console families.
The incident echoes scrutiny over Vijay’s earlier rallies in Trichy and Nagapattinam, where similar crowd management issues arose despite court-imposed safety guidelines. As investigations continue, the tragedy has cast a shadow over TVK’s 2026 Assembly election campaign, highlighting the challenges of managing mass fervor in India’s polarized political landscape.
