Tamil Nadu Govt Pushes Back After Vijay’s Challenge
Three days after the Karur stampede that killed 41 people during Vijay’s rally, the Tamil Nadu government has gone on the defensive.
On Tuesday evening, top bureaucrats and police officers held a press conference in Chennai, pushing back against allegations of mismanagement and conspiracy. This came just hours after Vijay dropped a fiery video accusing the government of targeting his party cadre — and daring Chief Minister M K Stalin to arrest him instead of his supporters.
Venue, Crowd and the Build-Up
Officials started with the big question — why Velusamypuram?
They explained the spot was chosen after rejecting six other locations for safety hazards. The area had already handled 15,000 people before without trouble.
Police had expected 10,000 for Vijay’s event, but the crowd swelled far beyond that. Around 500 officers were on duty, but the arrival of Vijay’s massive convoy sparked chaos. Videos shown at the presser displayed motorbikes weaving dangerously around his bus, with some even crashing.
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What Caused the Blackout?
One of the biggest rumours was that the government cut power as Vijay entered Karur. Officials denied it outright.
They said the lights went out because fans broke barricades, climbed onto a temporary generator shed, and damaged it — accidentally tripping the local supply. To prove it, they showed footage of cadres breaching the generator enclosure.
Lathi Charge or Crowd Control?
Another allegation was that police used lathi charge to disperse the crowd. ADGP Davidson Devasirvatham clarified: police only pushed the crowd aside when Vijay’s bus was stuck.
He revealed a DSP even asked the convoy to halt, but Vijay’s team insisted on moving ahead. To clear the way, police had to use force. Ironically, once on stage, Vijay was recorded thanking police for helping him get there safely.
Minute-by-Minute Timeline of the Tragedy
Health Secretary P Senthilkumar and ACS P Amudha gave a detailed breakdown:
- 7.14 pm: First ambulance called.
- 7.20 pm: Ambulance reached the spot.
- In total, 33 ambulances — seven arranged by Vijay’s party — joined the rescue.
- Police had to rely on wireless as mobile networks failed in the crowd.
The officials said the tragedy worsened because the crowd had been waiting since morning, exhausted and dehydrated, before the sudden rush caused by the bus.
Past Incidents Across Vijay’s Tour
To counter claims that only Karur was mishandled, officials listed earlier casualties:
- 1 death in Villupuram
- 2 in Madurai rally
- Dozens injured in Ariyalur, Trichy, Tiruvarur, and Namakkal (where 34 were hospitalised from heat stroke)
They also pointed out the lack of TVK volunteers to assist with crowd management, leaving the police to handle it alone.
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Govt’s Warning Against Fake News
The presser ended with a strong warning: spreading fake news or conspiracy theories online will invite legal action. Police confirmed arrests had already been made for posts suggesting “deliberate sabotage.”
The government has set up a one-woman commission led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the tragedy, along with a parallel police investigation.
Why This Matters
The press conference wasn’t just about facts — it was also about perception. So far, the Stalin government has avoided directly naming Vijay in FIRs. But with his bold video directly challenging the Chief Minister, the political temperature in Tamil Nadu is only set to rise.
FAQs on Karur Stampede and TN Govt’s Response
The stampede was triggered by overcrowding when Vijay’s convoy entered the rally venue. Exhausted fans rushed forward, leading to a deadly crush.
Officials released videos, a minute-by-minute rescue timeline, and denied claims of power cuts or deliberate police action. They warned against spreading fake news.
A one-woman commission led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan and a parallel police probe will investigate the incident.
