Daijiworld Media Network - Karur

Karur, Sep 29: Tensions are running high in Karur, Tamil Nadu, after the tragic stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s election rally in Velusamypuram claimed 41 lives and injured over 60. In the wake of the disaster, public anger is intensifying, with posters demanding Vijay’s arrest surfacing across the town on Monday.

The posters, allegedly put up by the Tamil Nadu Students' Union, appeared at several key intersections but were removed within hours by unidentified individuals, indicating the volatile mix of grief, political fallout, and public fury now surrounding the incident.

Stampede Toll: Families Devastated

The stampede, which occurred on Saturday night, has had a heart-wrenching impact on the local community. Among those killed were:

• A two-year-old child
• A young mother and her two daughters
• A 24-year-old engaged couple

At least two people remain critically injured, while dozens are still being treated in hospitals.

Vijay Under Fire for Absence, Response

Though Vijay released a public statement on Sunday expressing “deep sorrow” and announcing ?20 lakh compensation for families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh for the injured, he has not yet visited the victims or their families — a move that has drawn widespread criticism.

In his statement, Vijay also raised suspicions of a “political conspiracy” and filed a petition with the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, seeking a CBI or independent investigation into the incident.

Government and Opposition Reactions

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin responded quickly, reaching Karur in the early hours of Sunday. He visited the injured at the government hospital and assured full support for bereaved families. He also confirmed that any action against Vijay or his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), will depend on the findings of a formal inquiry.

The investigation is being led by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, who began the probe on Sunday by inspecting hospital conditions and speaking with survivors.

Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami criticised the ruling government’s failure to ensure proper crowd control, suggesting that a more robust police presence could have prevented the tragedy.

National Response and Political Overtones

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each family who lost a member and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

With election fever building in Tamil Nadu and Vijay’s political debut under intense scrutiny, the tragedy is rapidly becoming a flashpoint in the state’s political discourse. The appearance—and rapid removal—of posters calling for his arrest reflects a community caught between grief, anger, and rising political tension.

As the investigation unfolds, the spotlight remains on Vijay and his team’s handling of the rally, and whether more could have been done to prevent a night that turned a celebration into a catastrophe.