Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay has postponed all future rallies for the next 14 days following a deadly stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which claimed 41 lives, including women and children. The party announced the decision on Wednesday, citing the tragic incident on September 27 as the reason for temporarily halting public meetings.

Details of the Karur stampede

The stampede occurred during a TVK rally in Karur, leaving 41 people dead and several others injured. In response, two party functionaries, Mathiyazhagan, the Karur West District Secretary, and MC Paun Raj, the Karur town functionary, were arrested and sent to judicial custody until October 14.

TVK stated in a post on X in Tamil: “In this situation where we are in pain and sorrow over the loss of our loved ones, the public meeting programme of our party leader for the next two weeks is being temporarily postponed. New details regarding this public meeting will be announced later.”

Vijay’s response

In his first public reaction to the tragedy on September 30, Vijay described the incident as “the most painful situation” he has ever faced. “My heart is aching, I am in deep pain. People come to see me in this campaign, the only reason behind it is love and affection. In my life, I have never experienced such pain. I will soon meet the victims,” he said.

Addressing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin regarding the arrest of party functionaries, Vijay requested, “Chief Minister sir, I request you please do not harm my party functionaries. I will be available at my house or in my office and you can take any action against me, but not against them.”

Vijay also explained that he left Karur immediately after the stampede to avoid further chaos and ensure the safety of the people, expressing his condolences to all the families affected by the incident.

Safety concerns and political impact

The stampede has raised concerns over crowd management and the safety of large gatherings during political rallies in the state. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the cause and ensure accountability. The suspension of rallies by TVK for two weeks aims to prevent any recurrence while showing respect for the victims and their families.

Conclusion

The tragic Karur stampede has sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu, highlighting the risks associated with large political events. Vijay’s decision to postpone rallies reflects both a response to public safety concerns and a period of mourning. The party has assured that updates regarding future rallies will be communicated in due course.