DMK MP Kanimozhi met the grieving families of the victims of the Karur stampede, which claimed 40 lives on Saturday, and said the Tamil Nadu government stands strongly with the victims of the tragedy. She urged people to wait for the probe to be concluded before forming any opinions.
Speaking to CNN-News18 after meeting the families of the victims, Kanimozhi said, “They are all helpless. It’s really sad that some people lost the only earning member of the family. It’s a traumatic time for many of them.”
She also defended the government’s response to the tragedy, saying, “Government missionaries and the party (DMK) missionary are here to support the victims. The chief minister (MK Stalin) was himself here last night, and he made sure that everyone
is there to reach out and support the people.”
#Exclusive | CNN-News18’s @nimumurali speaks to DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on the Karur Stampede@_pallavighosh | #KarurStampede #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/Yws0OFqd4T
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 28, 2025
As many as 40 people lost their lives in a stampede at actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay’s public rally in Karur on September 27. The Tamil Nadu government has offered Rs 10 lakh in aid for the families of the victims. CM Stalin has announced the formation of a commission of inquiry, headed by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to probe the stampede.
“There is a one-woman commission which has been appointed. I can only say that DMK is here on the field, our MPs and ministers are here to reach out to the people and support them. We will stand with you. I don’t want to talk about who is not here,” Kanimozhi told News18, urging people to wait for the probe.
Vijay Rally Stampede
Vijay held a massive rally in Karur on Saturday, but arrived six hours later, causing the crowd to swell uncontrollably. Police permission was reportedly for only 10,000 people in Vijay’s Karur rally, but the actual turnout swelled to nearly 50,000, as per reports.
The restless crowd pushed ahead to catch a glimpse of the actor, breaking through barriers and causing a stampede. Several people fell unconscious due to fatigue after waiting for several hours, prompting Vijay to pause his speech.
The actor-turned-politician abruptly ended his speech as several people, including children, fainted at the overcrowded rally. He also distributed water to people and arranged for ambulances for people who were feeling suffocated in the rally.
Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkatraman on Sunday said TVK chief Vijay’s delayed arrival for his rally led to a surge in the crowds at Karur, which sparked the stampede. He said permission was sought for 10,000 people, and the authorities had estimated a large turnout based on the actor-politician’s previous rallies.
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