Vijay calls for protection of his party members amidst the fallout from the tragic incident in Karur.
Actor and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam chief Vijay addressed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in a video message, urging him to direct any retribution towards him rather than his party members. This statement follows the tragic stampede that occurred on September 27 during a rally in Karur, which resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals. In his message, Vijay expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life, stating, “I have not faced such a painful situation in my life.” He emphasized that those who attended the rally did so out of trust and admiration for him.
Vijay questioned how such a disastrous incident could happen in Karur after his party had successfully campaigned in five other districts. He suggested that a political conspiracy might be at play, stating, “People know the truth and they are watching everything.” This insinuation of foul play raises concerns about the circumstances surrounding the stampede. He promised that the truth would eventually surface and mentioned that he refrained from visiting Karur after the incident to avoid exacerbating the situation. However, he committed to meeting the families of the victims and the injured in the near future.
The release of Vijay’s video came shortly after the police took action against several individuals connected to the incident. Mathiyalagan, the Karur district general secretary of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, was arrested, along with a Bharatiya Janata Party leader and two other party functionaries, for allegedly spreading misinformation about the stampede on social media. The police reported that cases were filed against 25 social media users who purportedly shared false narratives regarding the event, as well as against key officials within the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam.
The stampede occurred shortly after 7:30 PM at the Veluchamy Puram area in Karur, where Vijay was delivering a speech from his campaign vehicle. Reports indicate that many attendees fainted due to overcrowding. The event, which was initially approved for 10,000 attendees, saw over 25,000 people gather at the venue. The police alleged that Vijay’s arrival was delayed, leading to unsanctioned roadshows that contributed to the crowd’s size.
As a result of the incident, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam has sought intervention from the Madras High Court, requesting a suo motu investigation into the stampede. The petition highlights the belief that conspiratorial elements may have influenced the tragic event. The party is now advocating for an independent agency to investigate the circumstances leading to the stampede, hoping to uncover the truth behind the chaos that unfolded during their rally.
