Tamil Nadu CM Vijay gives govt job appointment orders to kin of 32 Karur stampede victims
Vijay was addressing a large gathering at Atlas Ground in Karur, where he also distributed job appointment orders to 32 families affected by the stampede that occurred during a TVK rally last year.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay on Friday revisited the painful memories of the 2025 Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, saying "no success can erase the pain caused by the loss of innocent lives."
Vijay was addressing a large gathering at Atlas Ground in Karur, where he also distributed government job appointment orders to 32 families affected by the stampede that occurred during a TVK rally last year.
The actor-turned-politician accused the police of misleading him on the day of the rally and alleged that they had "staged drama" during the incident.
"No matter how great a height a man reaches in life, certain pains and wounds in the heart cannot be forgotten. More than anything else, the pain and wound that affected me the most is the Karur incident," Vijay said.
'Police could have cancelled the meeting'
He claimed that while the police had previously urged him to cancel a programme in Perambalur over crowd-related concerns, they did not issue a similar advisory before the Karur event, even though it also drew a large crowd.
"After finishing the Namakkal meeting, when we were coming to Karur, couldn't the Karur police have alerted us? They could have cancelled the meeting if they felt the crowd could not be controlled. They had every right to do so. Instead, they brought us to the venue. I believed them completely and even thanked the police officers that day. I never imagined such a tragedy would happen," Vijay said.
Questioning the handling of the event, Vijay asked: "Who is responsible for all this? Who gave the orders? People, I ask you, was adequate police protection provided for such a huge crowd?"
Memorial announced for victims
Vijay announced that TVK would build a memorial in Karur in honour of those who lost their lives. He said the memorial would help future generations remember the incident and prevent such tragedies from being politicised.
He said the proposed memorial would also serve as a reminder to future generations about what he described as a conspiracy against his party. He added: “In order to make the coming generation aware of the conspiracy and plot against us, so that no one even thinks of another political conspiracy, we announce that a memorial will be built in Karur on behalf of our TVK.”
Vijay also criticised the DMK, alleging that the previous government was involved in corruption and political vendetta. Calling on voters to support his party in the upcoming by-election, he urged them to reject what he described as an “evil force.”
Vijay's visit marked his first official tour of Karur since assuming office as chief minister in May.
During the programme, he met the families of those who were killed in the stampede at the TVK rally on 27 September 2025 and offered his condolences.
The chief minister was welcomed on stage by state ministers Rajmohan and Vijayalakshmi.
(With inputs from ANI)
About the Author
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
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