Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam seeks investigation into fatal stampede during campaign event in Tamil Nadu.
Actor-politician Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, has approached the Madras High Court to seek suo motu cognisance regarding the stampede that occurred during a rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district on Saturday. The party’s petition alleges that conspiracies contributed to the tragic event, which resulted in significant casualties.
At least 39 individuals lost their lives, including 16 women and eight children, while over 150 others were hospitalized in the aftermath of the incident. The stampede took place shortly after 7:30 PM in the Veluchamy Puram area, where Vijay was addressing the crowd from atop his campaign vehicle.
During the rally, many attendees reportedly fainted due to overcrowding, and Vijay’s speech was interrupted on two occasions as ambulances were called to assist those who collapsed. Additionally, some supporters attempted to climb a tree for a better view, but when a branch broke, it led to further chaos as individuals fell into the crowd.
In light of the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu government has established a commission led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede. The court is expected to take up the matter on Monday at its Madurai bench, with the judge previously expressing concerns regarding accountability for incidents that occur during political rallies.
As part of the proceedings, the judge directed the state government to consider implementing regulations requiring political parties to make a deposit when seeking police permissions for rallies. This fund could be utilized for compensation in the event of damage to public property or injuries. The court emphasized the importance of ensuring that Vijay, as the head of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, conducts meetings lawfully to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Furthermore, the court suggested that Vijay could set a precedent by advising pregnant women and persons with disabilities against attending large gatherings to safeguard their well-being. The situation underscores the need for increased safety measures and protocols to protect attendees at political events, especially given the recent tragic outcomes.
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