Vijay Rally Stampede: CM Stalin Orders Judicial Probe, Rs 10 Lakh Aid For Victims' Families

Vijay Rally Stampede: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered a judicial probe into the deadly stampede that took place at a political rally by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay in Karur

on Saturday, and announced Rs 10 lakh in aid for the families of the deceased victims.

Stalin informed that 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, died after a stampede broke out at Vijay’s massive rally in Karur. He announced Rs 10 lakh from CM Relief Fund for the families of the victims and Rs 1 lakh for the people injured and under treatment. Stalin also directed all hospitals to provide the best medical care, and ministers and district officials have been rushed to Karur.

A Commission of Inquiry headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan will be constituted to investigate this tragic incident, the CM said. “On receiving this shocking news, I am deeply pained and anguished. The irreparable loss of lives has shaken the conscience of our state. I express my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families,” he added.

“I will personally visit Karur tonight to console the bereaved families and meet those injured who are undergoing treatment in hospitals,” he added. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is also enroute to Karur.

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What Happened In Karur?

Vijay, the actor-turned-politician, was addressing a rally attended by tens of thousands of people in Karur. According to the information available, police permission was reportedly for only 10,000 people in Vijay’s Karur rally, but the actual turnout swelled to nearly 30,000 to 35,000, despite assurances of a lower turnout by the organisers.

Vijay arrived at the venue at least six hours late, further adding to the chaos. When Vijay began speaking, several people in the restless crowd pushed towards the stage, overpowering barricades and causing a stampede. Several people, including children, fell unconscious due to fatigue and suffocation after waiting for several hours. Vijay had to pause his speech and threw water bottles from atop his custom-built campaign bus.

The fainted persons were rushed to nearby hospitals in ambulances, and several of them died. Officials said restrictions and crowd-control norms were not followed, and police are now investigating a mismatch between the permitted capacity and the actual turnout.

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Political Leaders Express Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the stampede in Tamil Nadu, wishing strength to the families of the victims in this difficult time. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National President JP Nadda and others also expressed their condolences.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami called the incident “shocking and distressing” and expressed his condolences for the victims. “I urge the Tamil Nadu government to immediately take necessary measures to ensure proper treatment for those admitted to the hospital and to provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased,” he said.

While expressing his condolences for the victims, BJP leader K Annamalai said it was the responsibility of the police to accurately estimate the number of attendees, select an appropriate venue accordingly, and deploy an adequate number of police personnel to ensure the safety of the public attending the event.