10 Days After Karur Tragedy, TVK Chief Vijay Yet To Meet Victims' Families

A political rally in Karur organised by the Tamil Nadu Victory Party ended in tragedy, resulting in 41 deaths due to overcrowding. Criticism has arisen over the party's lack of response and safety measures, while other political leaders have shown support for the victims' families.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazham chief Vijay is yet to meet the families of the victims who were killed in the stampede in Karur on September 27.

The tragic incident at his political rally in Karur resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals due to overcrowding. However, Vijay has been criticised for failing to meet the victims' families even after 10 days.

Neither Vijay nor other party executives have made any visits, sparking widespread criticism.

During the rally, chaos ensued when supporters climbed trees and shop roofs, causing branches to break and fall on those below. The First Information Report (FIR) filed by police highlighted that the event was deliberately delayed by four hours to showcase political strength. This delay, coupled with inadequate water and medical facilities, led to exhaustion among attendees.

Political Leaders' Response

In contrast to the TVK's response, several senior politicians from the ruling and the opposition parties have visited the bereaved families. Chief Minister Stalin, Opposition Leader Edappadi Palaniswami, and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin have all extended their condolences in person. Their actions have further intensified scrutiny on Vijay and his party's lack of engagement with victims' families.

The police investigation into this incident is being led by Officer Asra Garg. The FIR also mentions that Anand and Nirmal Kumar ignored warnings about potential risks. The crowd pressure caused many to faint during Vijay's speech, leading to a stampede where 11 people lost their lives.

Vijay's Reaction

Vijay faced backlash for his actions following the rally. He departed for Chennai via a private flight immediately after concluding his speech in Karur. He did not address journalists upon arrival in Chennai and only expressed condolences on his social media page four hours later.

Nonetheless, Vijay has announced Rs 20 lakh to the families of the victims and Rs 2 lakh to the injured families.

Public Outcry

The public outcry over this tragedy continues as questions remain about accountability and safety measures at political events. The lack of immediate response from Vijay and his party has left many questioning their commitment to addressing the needs of those affected by this disaster.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring safety at large gatherings and the responsibility of organisers to provide adequate facilities for attendees. As investigations proceed under Officer Asra Garg's leadership, many await answers regarding what went wrong at this ill-fated rally.