– Amid a rising death toll and growing outrage, TVK chief Vijay left the tragedy-stricken site without addressing the public, as opposition parties demand a police case be filed against him.
Chennai: In the wake of a horrific stampede that claimed at least 36 lives at his party’s rally in Karur, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and actor Vijay has drawn sharp criticism for leaving the scene without making a public statement. As the death toll is feared to rise, Vijay reportedly traveled from the accident site to Chennai via Trichy, remaining silent on the devastating events.
The actor’s departure without an immediate response has sparked outrage, especially as political parties have begun calling for his accountability. The Congress and CPI(M) have formally demanded that a criminal case be registered against Vijay for the lapses that led to the tragedy.
The disaster unfolded on Saturday night when an unexpectedly massive crowd surged at the TVK event. According to police, permission was granted for a gathering of 10,000 people, but unofficial estimates suggest the actual attendance swelled to nearly 200,000. Senior police officials have stated that crucial safety and security guidelines were not followed by the organizers. Accusations have also surfaced that the provided police security was focused solely on Vijay, leaving the vast crowd unmanaged.
The incident has shaken the state, prompting a high-level response. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is en route to Karur to assess the situation. Condolences have poured in from across the country, with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and film industry stalwarts like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan expressing their grief over the tragic loss of life.
While Vijay did not speak to the media or public before leaving Karur, his party later released a statement in which he expressed being “shattered” and in “unbearable pain” over the deaths.
