High security has been stepped up at 51-year-old actor turned politician Vijay’s home in Chennai, after 39 people were killed and 50 injured in a political rally held by Vijay for his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in Karur district, Tamil Nadu. A source has confirmed that the security has been tightened, apprehending people’s anger may turn towards Vijay.
What was the key reason behind the stampede deaths?
The actor-turned politician has been targeted by the ruling party, who said that the guidelines were violated at Vijay’s rally. There was no proper arrangement of drinking water and food, and above that Vijay reached the venue almost 7 hours late, while women, children and men had started coming in around noon, but Vijay turned up around 7 PM and thus leading to people fainting. It has been confirmed by government sources that there has been a violation of guidelines by his vehicle.
While Vijay was speaking, some people collapsed, but Vijay continued to speak without even caring, nor was an ambulance allowed. Rather he completed his speech and immediately left by private flight to Chennai.
What does the police have to say?
DGP of Tamil Nadu G Venkataraman said that on the social media of Vijay it was announced that he will arrive till noon, and thus people started assembling from 11 am and because there was no food and water arrangement, people started fainting as Vijay turned up post 7PM. “Permission (for the meeting) was sought for between 3 pm-10 pm. The TVK Twitter account said he will come at 12 and the crowd started coming in from 11 am. He came at 7:40 pm. The people lacked sufficient food and water under the hot sun,” he said. While the arrangements were made for 10,000 people, more than 27,000 people turned up for the event and thus overcrowding happened.
Vijay’s statement
Vijay wrote on X, “My heart is shattered; I am writing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment in the hospital.”
In a statement, the advocate representing TVK shared that the party had followed all police guidelines at the rally.
What did CM Stalin say?
Post the tragic incident, CM MK Stalin paid a visit to the injured and also met family members of the victims. Stalin wrote on X, “The tears shed by the families of those who lost their lives throughout the night, and the pain caused by their grief-filled cries, have not left my heart.”
A judicial inquiry by a retired High Court judge has been announced by the state government.