Following a pause in political activities after a tragic stampede in Karur in September, actor-politician Vijay is reportedly planning to resume his campaign with a rally in Salem on December 4. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has sought permission from the Salem City police to conduct the rally. However, authorities are grappling with concerns regarding the suitability of potential venues and ensuring public safety, particularly in light of the Karur incident.
The TVK has proposed multiple locations for the rally, including Jawahar Mill ground, Bose Maidan near the old bus stand, Fort Maidan in the city, and a private ground near the highway in Selanaikenpatti. Salem City police are unlikely to grant permission for the rally at Fort Maidan or Bose Maidan. While these venues are commonly used for political campaigns, Thalapathy Vijay's rallies present unique crowd management challenges. The Salem City police have requested the party to furnish fresh dates for consideration as there are practical issues in acceding to their request.
The Karur tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 41 people and injuries to over 50, has cast a shadow over Vijay's return to campaigning. The Supreme Court has ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation to unearth the cause of the tragedy. The incident has led to intense scrutiny of crowd management strategies for political events, with political observers blaming poor crowd management by the TVK for the tragedy.
Concerns have been raised about the potential for overcrowding and traffic disruptions if the rally is held in a congested area. Kottai Maidan, located near the district collectorate and the Salem City Corporation office, often sees road blockages and traffic diversions during public meetings. The Salem Government Hospital is also situated close to this venue, raising concerns about potential disruptions to medical services. It will be a challenge for the police to ensure the crowd does not spill over to the highway and block traffic movement.
Despite the challenges, TVK functionaries are eager for Vijay to resume his political campaigns, particularly in Salem, where he reportedly has a strong support base. Vijay also participated in the recently held Special General Committee and Executive Committee meetings of the TVK in Chennai where he stated that his political journey would continue with greater determination. The party's Salem district executives have stated they are prepared to make all necessary arrangements as soon as the leadership gives the green signal. TVK leaders are actively working on the logistics for his comeback rally. State-level office-bearers will soon visit Salem to assess venues, apply for police permission, and coordinate security measures, especially in the wake of the Karur tragedy.
Vijay met with the families of the victims in a private session shortly after the tragedy, expressing condolences and pledging support to cover medical expenses for those injured. Following investigations, security measures and organizational protocols for future rallies have been re-evaluated to prevent similar incidents. The resumption of Vijay's campaign marks a significant phase in the lead-up to the Tamil Nadu state elections. Ensuring safety and preventing past mistakes are top priorities for the TVK leadership as they seek to maintain momentum while addressing public concerns.
