Karur Rally Tragedy: Actor Vijay, TVK Leaders & the Deadly Crowd Surge
A political rally turned deadly in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday night, leaving at least 40 people dead and nearly 100 injured. The tragedy has shaken the state, drawing political blame, legal petitions, and grief-stricken families into the spotlight.
Actor Vijay Moves Court, Seeks CBI Probe
Actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) suspect foul play behind the stampede at Karur. TVK has approached the Madras High Court, requesting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or transferring the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
According to TVK lawyer Arivazhagan, the party received “reliable information from locals” and CCTV footage that allegedly points to a “criminal conspiracy” orchestrated by some ruling party functionaries. TVK denies violating any police-imposed safety guidelines during the rally.
N Anand and Other TVK Leaders Named in Police Case
Following the tragedy, TVK’s general secretary N Anand (Bussy Anand), joint general secretary CT Nirmal Kumar, Karur West district secretary VP Mathiyazhagan, and three others have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Additional charges relate to rash or negligent conduct endangering human life and damage to public property.
Eyewitness Accounts: Chaos and Panic
Eyewitnesses described how the stampede erupted as Vijay began his speech, with multiple factors contributing: power outage, panic over a missing girl, and Vijay’s performance of a song criticizing V Senthilbalaji as the '10-rupee minister'. Police reportedly used lathis, escalating the panic. Nearly 27,000 people were present at a venue designed for 10,000.
Official Response and Relief Measures
Chief Minister M K Stalin announced a judicial inquiry led by retired High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagatheesan. Ex-gratia payments of Rs 10 lakh for each deceased and Rs 1 lakh for each injured will be provided from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund. A district-wide shutdown was observed across Karur in solidarity with the victims.
A Tragic Lesson in Crowd Management
The Karur rally tragedy underscores the importance of crowd management, timely planning, and adherence to safety guidelines at large public events. As legal and political actions unfold, the incident remains a somber reminder of the risks associated with mass gatherings and the urgent need for accountability.
Hai Please Do not Spam in Comments