The Karur stampede at actor-politician Vijay's rally has escalated into a public slugfest between the ruling DMK and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). On Tuesday, the party chief accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin of seeking "revenge" against him, while the state government countered by releasing video evidence alleging his party violated safety norms.
Following the stampede on September 27, which tragically killed 41 people and injured over 60, Vijay released a detailed video response on his 'X' page, asserting that the "truth will come out" and that he was ready to face action.
The top actor insisted he had never faced such a "painful situation" in his life. He defended his decision not to immediately visit Karur to meet the victims' families, saying, "I didn't visit Karur as it would lead to an unusual situation. I will meet you [families of victims, the injured] soon." This came after widespread criticism for his absence.
Amid police cases filed against his senior party colleagues, including Bussy V Anand and CTR Nirmal Kumar, Vijay issued a direct challenge to the Chief Minister. "CM sir, if you have a thought of seeking revenge, you may do anything to me and not touch the party men," he declared, adding, "You may do anything to me, but don't touch my party people."
Hinting at a political conspiracy, the TVK chief questioned the localised nature of the tragedy: "I had campaigned in five districts, but why did this happen in Karur? People know the truth, and they are watching everything." He firmly insisted that neither he nor his organisers acted negligently. "I did not do any wrong; my political journey will continue with renewed vigour," he asserted.
Shortly after Vijay released his statement, top state officials, including Additional Chief Secretary P Amudha, held a press conference to present video evidence detailing the sequence of events before and during the stampede. The officials contested claims about the venue choice, stating that the Karur Roundana was unsuitable due to the presence of a petrol bunk and a drainage canal.
Officials also reported that the crowd surged to about 25,000, far exceeding the 10,000 anticipated by the organisers. They further alleged that the organisers ignored police warnings to halt Vijay's vehicle 50 metres ahead of the designated spot due to the overcrowding. Video clippings released by the government allegedly showed violation of norms, including TVK cadres climbing on the roof in both Namakkal and Karur.
Speaking separately, senior DMK leader and Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi criticised Vijay for hastily leaving the site after the stampede. "Leaving the place without even saying comforting words and mindful of his own security— according to me, this is unprecedented," she told reporters.
Meanwhile, a panel of National Democratic Alliance MPs, headed by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hema Malini, visited the stampede site and the hospitalised injured. Panel chief Malini questioned the choice of venue, while fellow BJP MP Anurag Thakur demanded a free and fair probe led by a sitting Supreme Court judge, saying, "The truth is, common people have lost their lives."
Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami lashed out at the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government for having officials address the media in place of elected representatives. He alleged that the government's intention "seems to be hiding its failure in protecting people" and pinning the blame on others.
Senior TVK functionaries Anand and Nirmal Kumar moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail, following the police cases filed against them. Meanwhile, two local TVK district secretaries were arrested and remanded to 14-day judicial custody.
The political slugfest continues with no signs of abatement. The TVK and DMK locked in a high-stakes battle over accountability for the tragic events in Karur.
Also read: 'Take revenge from me': Vijay to CM Stalin on Karur stampede
Follow us
