‘Don't Politicise It’: DMK MLA Senthil Balaji Calls For Collective Action After Karur Stampede

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MLA and Karur District Secretary V Senthil Balaji on Wednesday described the Karur stampede as the most tragic incident he had witnessed in his nearly three decades of public

service.

Speaking to the media, Balaji said, “I have been in public service for 29 years, and never before has such a tragic incident occurred in Karur. In the future, everyone must work together to ensure that such incidents do not take place anywhere in Tamil Nadu.”

The stampede on September 27 left 41 people dead, most of them from Karur, and several others injured. Balaji expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Balaji also extended gratitude to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for their prompt response to the tragedy. He said both leaders had personally visited the site of the incident and ensured that medical assistance was provided to those undergoing treatment.

“Of the 41 victims, 39 were from Karur. This situation should not be politicised. Whatever party’s event it may be in the future, we must join together and take the necessary steps to prevent such incidents,” he added.

The DMK MLA stressed that the incident should not be politicised, pointing out that of the 41 victims, 39 belonged to Karur. He urged political parties across the spectrum to work together to implement safeguards at large gatherings and prevent a recurrence.

Meanwhile, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder and chief Thol Thirumavalavan criticised the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, holding its leadership accountable for the tragedy. He argued that the stampede was caused by poor crowd management and the delay in Vijay’s arrival at the event.

“Thousands had gathered and waited for hours. The delay in the arrival of Vijay contributed significantly to the chaos. TVK leaders must accept responsibility instead of blaming the DMK government,” Thirumavalavan said. He added that learning from such an incident was essential for TVK’s future political journey.

The tragedy has sparked debate across Tamil Nadu, with leaders calling for better planning and accountability at political events. Senthil Balaji reiterated that political blame games would not serve the public interest. Instead, he urged unity among parties and authorities to ensure that safety protocols are strictly enforced.