Tamil Nadu CM Accuses DMK of Exploiting Tragic Karur Incident for Political Gain

Chief Minister's Accusations Against DMK

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C. Joseph Vijay, has accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of attempting to gain political advantage from the tragic stampede that occurred in Karur last year. He stated that he was prevented from visiting the district to meet the affected families at that time.

Concerns Over Police Conduct

During his first visit to Karur since the incident, the Chief Minister raised serious concerns regarding the local police's actions. He criticized the police for failing to warn him about the growing crowd during the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally on September 27. Despite the crowd becoming uncontrollable, the police did not take any measures to cancel the event, even though they had the authority to do so. Instead, they escorted him directly to the highway for his safety.

Reflection on Victims and Accountability

Since taking office in May, Vijay expressed regret that he could not meet the 41 families affected by the tragedy during his visit to Karur in 2025. However, he later met these families near Chennai to offer his condolences. He questioned who was responsible for the entire situation and under whose orders it was managed.

Memorial Plans and Public Support

At a gathering in Karur, the Chief Minister, dressed in black, expressed profound sorrow over the incident. He announced that his party, TVK, would construct a memorial in honor of those who lost their lives in the stampede. Following the assembly, he conducted a roadshow in Karur, where he received a warm welcome from the large crowd gathered on both sides of the road.