Chennai: Two top leaders of actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), including his close aide N Anand, have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder following a stampede at a rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which left 40 people dead and nearly 100 injured.

N Anand, TVK’s general secretary and former MLA from Puducherry, is popularly known as Bussy Anand for representing the Bussy constituency. He is regarded as the second-in-command in the party.

Other accused include CT Nirmal Kumar, TVK joint general secretary, Mathiyazhagan, Karur West district secretary, and three additional party functionaries.

Charges against the leaders

The accused have been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to:

  • Culpable homicide not amounting to murder
  • Rash or negligent acts endangering human life
  • Disobedience to orders issued by a public servant

Additionally, charges have been filed under the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act.

Government criticism of the rally

The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government criticised Vijay and TVK for violating safety guidelines at the rally, which contributed to the tragedy. Sources highlighted that:

  • No proper arrangements were made for drinking water and food, causing people in the crowd to faint.
  • Vijay reportedly arrived seven hours late, while the crowd had gathered since noon.
  • Supporters violated police guidelines, following Vijay’s vehicle into the already-cramped venue.
  • Despite people collapsing during the speech, ambulances were reportedly not allowed inside.

After the rally, Vijay left for Trichy airport and flew to Chennai via a private flight.

TVK response

A party advocate insisted that all police guidelines were followed during the rally. The lawyer said the tragedy has deeply affected Vijay, who has expressed his grief and love for the people of Tamil Nadu.

Conclusion

The Karur stampede has drawn attention to crowd management and event safety protocols in political rallies. With multiple TVK leaders now facing legal action, authorities are expected to continue investigating lapses in planning and adherence to government guidelines. The tragedy has also reignited debates on the responsibility of political leaders for mass gatherings, especially those involving vulnerable crowds.