Following the tragic stampede in Karur during a rally held by his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), actor and politician Vijay has appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to refrain from taking action against TVK workers. The incident, which occurred on September 27, 2025, resulted in the deaths of at least 40 people, including nine children, and left dozens injured.
In his first public statement after the tragedy, Vijay expressed his sorrow and conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. He described the event as "unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express". Vijay also announced that his party would provide ₹20 lakh to the families of each of those who died and ₹2 lakh to those injured and undergoing treatment.
Addressing Chief Minister Stalin directly in a video statement, Vijay urged him not to target his party workers in connection with the stampede. "CM sir, if you want to take revenge, do anything to me. Don't touch them," he stated, adding, "I will either be in my house or office, do anything to me". He questioned the police for filing FIRs against his party workers.
Vijay also hinted at possible sabotage, questioning why the stampede occurred only in Karur when his team had toured five other districts without any incident. He stated that he had taken precautions to ensure public safety during his statewide tour, including choosing venues and seeking police permissions. Vijay also criticized the police for booking his party workers in connection with the tragedy. He suggested that the truth behind the incident would eventually be revealed, stating, "People know everything, they are watching…. Truth will come out soon!".
The TVK also approached the Madras High Court, alleging that the stampede was "engineered by the police and a local politician" with connections to local criminals. The Madras High Court initially agreed to hear an urgent plea to restrain the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police from granting permission for public gatherings by TVK until an inquiry into the Karur incident was completed. However, the High Court later cancelled the hearing, stating that it was not a new case but an impleading petition in a case already pending before the court.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced a solatium of ₹10 lakh to the families of those who died in the stampede and ₹1 lakh for those who were injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin and ₹50,000 to the injured. The state government has formed a one-woman Inquiry Commission headed by retired Judge Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the incident.
