Vijay’s statewide tour suspended as Karur stampede fallout widens

Dubai: Actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), has suspended its statewide tour for two weeks following the deadly stampede at Karur that claimed 41 lives and left more than 60 injured.

The announcement was made through TVK’s official X handle. “In this situation where we are in pain and sorrow over the loss of our loved ones, the public meeting programme of our party leader for the next two weeks is being temporarily postponed. We inform you with the approval of our party leader. New details regarding these public meetings will be announced later,” the post read.

The decision comes amid rising political backlash, mounting investigations, and demands for accountability over one of Tamil Nadu’s deadliest political event disasters in recent decades.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Nainar Nagenthran launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over what he called “serious administrative failures” that led to the September 27 tragedy.

After visiting the injured and bereaved families with a BJP parliamentary fact-finding team, Nagenthran demanded the probe be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said the tragedy exposed glaring security lapses and eroded public confidence in the one-man inquiry commission.

The BJP leader posed 12 pointed questions to the Chief Minister, asking why the Karur bus stand roundabout was permitted for DMK events but denied to TVK, why videos of shoes thrown at Vijay and alleged knife attacks were ignored, and why the rally was not halted despite delays and disorder.

He also criticised what he termed the DMK’s “extraordinary speed” in responding after the tragedy compared to its muted reaction in cases such as the Kallakurichi illicit liquor deaths and custodial death cases. Alleging a cover-up, he questioned the arrests of 25 people, including journalist Felix, and asked why no accountability had been fixed on local officials despite glaring failures in crowd control.

Nagenthran said only a neutral CBI investigation could “bring out the truth” behind what he called a “man-made disaster caused by the DMK’s administrative lapses.”

At the same time, Tamil Nadu Police have stepped up the investigation by forming three special teams to arrest senior TVK leaders, including state general secretary N. Anand, also known as Bussy Anand, who has been absconding since the case was registered.

Police have already booked Anand, joint general secretary Nirmal Kumar, and Karur West district secretary Mathiyazhagan on charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and endangering public safety. Mathiyazhagan and South City treasurer Pounraj have been arrested and questioned.

Investigators said inadequate crowd control and poor planning were key factors behind the deadly surge at Velusamypuram, where thousands had gathered for Vijay’s campaign rally.

A one-member judicial commission led by retired Madras High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan is probing the circumstances that led to the disaster, focusing on lapses in security and event management.

Officials confirmed that Anand and Nirmal Kumar remain on the run, with dedicated teams tracking their digital footprints and monitoring possible hideouts across multiple districts. Meanwhile, Chennai Police have booked TVK election wing management general secretary Adhav Arjunan for allegedly posting provocative content on social media aimed at inciting unrest.

The Karur stampede has triggered a wider debate in Tamil Nadu over safety standards at political rallies and the responsibilities of emerging political movements. Families of victims have demanded swift justice and long-term reforms, while the government has promised stricter enforcement of event regulations and criminal liability for negligence leading to loss of life.

-- With IANS inputs