Karur, Tamil Nadu – September 29th:
What was meant to be a historic political debut for actor-turned-politician Vijay turned into a night of horror in Karur. A massive crowd at the Tamilaga Vetri Kalagam (TVK) rally spiraled out of control, resulting in a stampede that killed 39 people.
Among the victims were 10 children and 18 women, shocking not just Tamil Nadu but the entire nation. Over 95 people were injured, many of them fighting for survival in hospitals.
Chaos at the Rally
Vijay’s maiden political rally drew unprecedented crowds, with thousands eager to hear him speak. But poor crowd management and lapses in event security led to a tragic stampede.
Eyewitnesses reported that barricades collapsed as people surged forward, creating panic. Within minutes, the rally turned into a scene of death and despair.
Vijay’s Emotional Reaction
A shaken Vijay expressed his grief on social media:
“Your faces are flashing in my heart. The love you showed me weighs heavy on my soul. I cannot ease your pain, but as a family member, I stand by you.”
He announced ₹20 lakh compensation for each deceased family and ₹2 lakh for the injured, calling it the “saddest day of my political journey.”
Government Response
Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin rushed to Karur, visited hospitals, and announced ₹10 lakh relief for families of the dead and ₹1 lakh for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his shock, sanctioning ₹2 lakh compensation from PMNRF for each deceased family and ₹50,000 for the injured.
A judicial inquiry led by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan has been launched, while an FIR was filed against three TVK leaders for negligence.
Political Reactions
The tragedy triggered a political storm:
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Tamil Nadu BJP demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe.
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Opposition leaders accused TVK of “irresponsibility” in crowd control.
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Cinema and political personalities across India mourned the deaths, calling it a “national tragedy.”
Conspiracy Allegations Against Prashant Kishor
Adding fuel to the controversy, BCY party chief Bode Ramachandra Yadav alleged that political strategist Prashant Kishor, associated with TVK’s campaign, may have been behind the mishap.
“Wherever Prashant Kishor steps in, mysterious incidents follow. This is not coincidence—it’s conspiracy politics,” Yadav said in a press release.
He claimed Vijay had no role in the tragedy, suggesting the chaos may have been staged for political sensationalism.
Past Controversies Linked to Kishor
Yadav pointed to earlier incidents:
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In Andhra Pradesh, during Kishor’s work with YSRCP, the Kodikatti knife attack stirred political uproar.
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In West Bengal, Kishor’s strategies were accused of triggering political violence.
“Elections and conspiracies have become inseparable wherever Kishor operates,” Yadav alleged, demanding a CBI probe into the Karur stampede.
Public Sentiment
Karur remains engulfed in grief as families mourn their loved ones. Anger is growing against political parties for ignoring crowd safety protocols.
Citizens demand that public safety be prioritized over political showmanship.
Conclusion
The Karur stampede is not just a tragedy of lives lost—it raises pressing questions on political accountability and event mismanagement.
While Vijay faces the darkest moment of his political journey, allegations against Prashant Kishor have added a new twist. Whether this was negligence or conspiracy will now depend on the judicial inquiry and possible CBI investigation.
