Actor Vijay Announces Rs 20 Lakh Compensation for Families of Karur Stampede Victims

New Delhi:

Actor-politician Vijay announced today a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the families of each of the 39 people who lost their lives in a stampede during his rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur yesterday evening. The TVK chief also stated that his party will provide Rs 2 lakh each to the approximately 100 people injured in the tragic incident.

Through his party's official X account, the 51-year-old expressed his profound grief: "I am at a loss for words to express the pain my heart endures. My eyes and mind are clouded with sorrow. The faces of all of you whom I have met keep flashing through my mind. The more I think of my loved ones who show affection and care, the more my heart slips further from its place."

"While I express my deepest condolences with indescribable pain to you who are grieving the loss of our cherished loved ones, I also stand close to your hearts, sharing this immense sorrow. This is indeed an irreparable loss for us. No matter who offers words of comfort, the loss of our loved ones is unbearable. Yet, as a member of your family, I intend to provide 20 lakh rupees to each family that has lost a loved one and 2 lakh rupees to those who are injured and receiving treatment," said the TVK chief, who is preparing for his electoral debut in next year's Assembly polls.

"This amount is, of course, not significant in the face of such a loss. Still, at this moment, it is my duty as one who belongs to your family to stand by you, my dear ones, with a heavy heart. Likewise, I pray to God that all our loved ones who are injured and undergoing treatment recover swiftly and return home. I also assure you that our Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam will steadfastly provide all necessary support to our loved ones under treatment. By the grace of God, let us strive to recover from all this," he said.

While this marks Vijay's second condolence message since the tragedy, he has yet to address the alleged violations of safety norms at his rallies - including impromptu roadshows and disregard for police conditions - which have come under intense scrutiny following the Karur incident.

Previously, the MK Stalin-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the families of each victim, while the injured would receive Rs 50,000, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

On Saturday, an overwhelming crowd of nearly 27,000 people gathered uncontrollably at the Karur rally, which was originally planned for approximately 10,000 attendees. The TVK chief's late arrival - almost seven hours behind schedule - contributed to the crowd surge, resulting in a stampede. Police reports indicate inadequate food and drinking water arrangements at the venue.

Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman has acknowledged that only 500 police personnel were deployed at the venue despite the massive turnout, raising serious questions about security arrangements.

Chief Minister MK Stalin has since rushed to Karur, announced an investigation by a judicial commission headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, and ordered urgent medical assistance for the injured.