'Vijay arrived 7 hours late...': Stalin slams TVK chief over Karur stampede

Karur Stampede

The political row over the September 27 Karur stampede spilled over to Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday after Chief Minister MK Stalin ripped into actor Vijay, holding him and his TVK party responsible for the tragedy that killed 41 people.

Stalin held Vijay responsible for arriving at the venue seven hours late, triggering chaos among the massive crowd.

“I offer my condolences to all those who lost their loved ones… The party (TVK) had sought permission for a rally, and several venues were denied due to traffic concerns. Later, the district secretary identified another location, and approval was granted under 11 conditions. Police anticipated a huge turnout. Permission was given from 3 pm to 10 pm, and the party had assured that the leader would arrive by noon. But he arrived only at 7 pm. This delay led to congestion," Stalin told the House, according to a report by News18.

"This is one important reason for the stampede," the Chief Minister said, also slamming the organisers, i.e., the TVK, for "failing to ensure basic amenities, like drinking water and adequate bathrooms for women" and accusing TVK workers of "attacking" two ambulance drivers.

The emergency services personnel were injured, while they were trying to help the injured, and their vehicles vandalised, Stalin told the Assembly. Police cases have been filed, he said, NDTV reported.

On the TVK's allegation the confusion was exacerbated by the state turning off the electricity supply, Stalin said the generator had been powered down to avoid any more mishaps.

Karur stampede

The stampede occurred at a rally to be headlined by Vijay, whose TVK will make its electoral debut in next year's election. But the actor was late, and the crowd swelled as it waited, till it became unmanageable and led to a crush in which women and children also died.

The TVK and Vijay then hit out at Stalin and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam over the deaths, alleging a 'vendetta' by the Chief Minister to hobble his rival before the election.

Vijay also claimed mismanagement of the event by local officials and the police.

Days later the Tamil Nadu government issued a point-by-point rebuttal, defending the state's handling of the event and insisting adequate security and medical arrangements were made.

The Supreme Court has ordered a CBI probe into the stampede. A three-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, will monitor the CBI probe for a fair and impartial investigation into the tragedy.

Among the 41 deceased, 18 were women, 15 were men, five young girls, and five boys fell victim.