Actor-turned-politician Vijay, chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is facing growing backlash for not visiting hospitals or bereaved families after a stampede at his rally in Karur left at least 40 people dead and scores injured.
The tragedy struck on Saturday evening, soon after Vijay addressed thousands of supporters. Chaos broke out during dispersal, crushing women and children in the crowd. As distressing visuals spread, leaders across political parties rushed overnight to Karur — Chief Minister MK Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin (who returned early from abroad), and senior leaders from BJP, AIADMK and VCK all visited the injured and consoled families.
Vijay, however, left Karur by road to Trichy and then flew to Chennai in a private aircraft. PTI video showed him arriving at his Neelangarai residence around midnight, avoiding questions from the media. He did not visit hospitals or meet grieving families, a decision that has triggered criticism.
BJP leader Vinoj P Selvam slammed Vijay in a post on X: “Except for @TVKVijayHQ, all other political party leaders or representatives have gone to Karur overnight and consoled the affected people. But Vijay… is staying quietly at home as if there is no connection at all between him and the affected people.”
TVK spokesperson Ranjana Natchiyaar defended the actor-politician, claiming his presence could have worsened the situation: “Vijay is not a normal person… if he visits the hospital, another stampede may occur," she told Republic last night in the aftermath of the stampede.
At 11:15 pm on Saturday, Vijay posted a tweet on X, more than two hours after the tragedy became public. He wrote: “My heart is shattered; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families… I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment in the hospital.”
The following morning at 11:11 am, he issued a longer statement announcing Rs 20 lakh assistance for each family of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh for the injured. While he described the loss as “irreparable” and assured TVK cadres would support the victims, his absence from the ground remained the focal point of criticism.
On social media, users accused Vijay of showing “manufactured sympathy” under pressure. Journalist Anusha Ravi Sood noted he “dodged questions from scribes” at Trichy airport, while political commentator Sumanth Raman observed, “Vijay has not helped his cause by not visiting the hospital or meeting families,” though he cautioned that rival camps’ online campaign against him could backfire.
NDTV reported citing sources that security has been heightened at the TVK chief's home as "people's anger may turn" towards him. The state police has also been asked to enhance security for all TVK district secretaries, it reported.
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