Karur, Tamil Nadu: Forty-eight hours after a deadly stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally left 41 people dead, police have arrested TVK Karur West District Secretary Mathiyazhagan, holding him directly accountable for lapses that triggered the tragedy.
He faces charges of attempt to murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and endangering public safety. TVK’s General Secretary Bussy Anand and Joint General Secretary Nirmal Sekar have also been booked.
Shockingly, the FIR names actor-politician and TVK chief Vijay himself, accusing him of “deliberate acts” that led to at least 11 deaths.
Tamil Nadu Stamped: Allegations Against Vijay
According to the complaint, Vijay allegedly delayed his arrival at the rally by nearly four hours despite being in Karur, which police say created restlessness among the massive crowd—a move described as a show of political muscle.
He has also been accused of conducting an unauthorized roadshow and raising “unnecessary expectations” among supporters, while ignoring warnings from authorities.
Chaos and Collapse
On Saturday, over 25,000 people—twice the expected turnout—packed into the venue. Many waited for hours in the blistering heat without food or water. As impatience grew, barricades collapsed and people clambered onto tin sheds and trees, which gave way, sending dozens crashing down and triggering panic.
Hospital records confirm that 10 children and 18 women were among the 41 dead. Dozens more were injured in the chaos.
Political Fallout
The tragedy has sparked a fierce political storm. TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna has approached the Madras High Court demanding a CBI probe and urging that Vijay be allowed to meet victims’ families.
The party has alleged a conspiracy by the ruling DMK—a charge the government has strongly denied. Questions are also mounting over the police’s failure to anticipate the crowd size, inadequate deployment, and poor crowd-control measures.
Vijay’s Response
In a statement, Vijay said he was “shattered and in inexplicable pain” over the tragedy. He announced compensation of ₹20 lakh for families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured, while praying for their speedy recovery.
