The tragic stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on September 27, 2025, during a rally led by actor Vijay, founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, has resulted in a blame game between the TVK leader and the ruling DMK government. The incident, which claimed the lives of 41 people, including children, has sparked a fierce debate over who is responsible for the horrific event.
Vijay, in his first public statement since the tragedy, has alleged a conspiracy and hinted at "revenge plans" by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the DMK. In a video message, Vijay declared that neither he nor his party had done anything wrong and had followed protocol, including ensuring the rally was held at a safe location. He questioned why such an incident occurred only in Karur, despite holding rallies in other districts. Vijay challenged Stalin to take action against him directly, rather than targeting his party members and social media supporters. He also addressed criticism for leaving the venue, stating he did so to avoid further panic and untoward incidents.
The DMK, however, has strongly refuted Vijay's claims, releasing videos that allegedly show TVK cadres breaking cordons and choosing an unsuitable venue, leading to overcrowding. DMK leaders claim the organizers ignored police warnings and made a mistake in estimating the crowd size, which doubled during the rally, exceeding 25,000 people. They argue that Vijay's response was delayed and that he must accept responsibility for the deaths because he broke the rules. DMK leaders have also criticized Vijay for leaving the scene of the tragedy and not visiting the families of those killed. A DMK Member of Parliament, A Raja, said that fleeing suggests a guilty conscience. Another DMK leader, Kanimozhi, stated that Vijay should have listened to the police, who advised him to stop his campaign bus a few meters from the venue to ensure space for the crowd.
The Tamil Nadu government has formed an inquiry commission headed by a retired judge to investigate the incident and ensure accountability. The government has also released videos alleging TVK cadres broke cordons and ran during the stampede. They claim the choice of venue was unsuitable, citing the presence of a petrol bunk and drainage canal. The government further alleges that police asked Vijay to halt meters ahead of the designated spot due to overcrowding, but organizers did not oblige. They stated that the crowd surged when Vijay's vehicle entered the area, and some people had assembled in the morning, leading to dehydration and exhaustion.
In the aftermath of the stampede, police have arrested TVK functionaries, including Mathiyazhagan, the party's Karur West District Secretary, and MC Paun Raj, a Karur town functionary. They have been remanded to judicial custody until October 14. YouTuber Felix Gerald was also arrested for allegedly spreading disinformation about the stampede.
The Karur stampede has raised serious questions about crowd management, safety measures at political events, and the responsibility of political leaders in ensuring the safety of their supporters. The incident has also intensified the political rivalry between Vijay's TVK and the ruling DMK, with both sides trading accusations and counter-accusations. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the tragedy and holding those responsible accountable.
