Chennai, 8 October 2025
Facing brickbats from various political parties for not meeting the kin of the victims even more than 10 days after the ghastly Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives during his political rally on that fateful Saturday night, Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Founder Vijay today submitted a petition to the Tamil Nadu DGP seeking permission to meet the victims. More than 50 people sustained injuries in the stampede as the turnout was unprecedented, with the rally venue being a narrow stretch, leaving little breathing space and also for manoeuvring, leading to the tragedy, as an anxious crowd, which was waiting for long hours, surged ahead and moved closer to his campaign vehicle. Some of the political parties also sought to know why Vijay's name was not included in the FIR, while condoning the actor for running away from the scene without meeting the victims.
After justifying his decision not to visit Karur immediately after the tragedy, as it could lead to more tension, Vijay, who was also pulled up by the Madras High Court, has taken steps now to personally reach out to the families of the victims.TVK today formally submitted a representation via email to the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Y-Branch Security Headquarters, requesting permission and security arrangements for Vijay to meet the affected families in person. Vijay, who had announced a solatium of Rs 20 lakh each to the families of the deceased and also promised full support to them, has been in touch with the bereaved families through video calls, providing reassurance and expressing his condolences and solidarity with them.
During these conversations, he informed the families that he intends to meet them personally once official clearance is granted by the police authorities. He has emphasised that personally visiting and meeting the families of the victims is a priority to extend his support and solidarity to the victims’ families directly. Authorities are now reviewing the request and assessing the security protocols required to facilitate a safe and dignified visit. Local authorities have been coordinating relief efforts and providing medical support to the injured.
Soon after the incident, Chief Minister M K Stalin, in a swift move, deputed Karur DMK MLA and former Minister V Senthil Balaji and senior Ministers to the spot to ensure proper medical treatment and coordinate in relief and rescue works, announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh ech to the bereaved families, held a high level Emergency meeting at the State Secretariat late on that fateful night, announced formation of a one-member Commission heade dby Retd Justice Ms Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the incident, air dashed to Trichy en route Karur, paid homage to the bodies at the Larur Government hospital, met the victims families and consoled them. Both the Aruna Jagadeesan Commission and the SIT have already commenced their probe. Meanwhile, the Madras High Court taking a serious view of the incident, ordered a SIT probe into the incident, while the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, while rejected a CBI probe, dismissed the bail pleas of TVK General Secretary Bussy N Anand and Deputy General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar, though police arrested two Karur District functionaries of the TVK in connection with the tragedy and remanded them in custody.
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