Karur Stampede Tragedy: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Meet Victims' Families and Survivors

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to visit Karur on Monday to meet with survivors and families affected by the tragic stampede that claimed 41 lives and injured over 50 people during actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally at Velayuthampalayam, Tamil Nadu, on September 27.

The Finance Minister will be joined by Union Ministers L. Murugan and Nainar Nagendran during her visit to hospitals where she will offer condolences to the bereaved families impacted by this devastating incident.

The catastrophe unfolded when an enormous crowd gathered to hear Vijay speak at the political event. Officials report that the venue became dangerously overcrowded as thousands of attendees surged forward at the conclusion of Vijay's address, triggering widespread panic and a deadly crush. Many of the victims were women and children, with medical professionals indicating that some of the injured remain in critical condition.

The tragedy has prompted nationwide expressions of grief and support. President Droupadi Murmu expressed being "deeply pained" by the loss of lives and offered prayers for the affected families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his anguish and approved financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each from the PMNRF for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin rushed to Karur immediately after the incident and visited injured victims and their families at the Government Medical College Hospital. He announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh for each bereaved family and pledged complete support from the state government.

Chief Minister Stalin has also ordered a judicial investigation led by retired High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to determine the cause of the tragedy and recommend preventive safety measures for future public gatherings.

Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) of the AIADMK offered condolences while criticizing the government for inadequate crowd management. He called for more robust safety protocols for political events.

TVK president Vijay, visibly affected by the disaster, described it as an "irreparable loss" in an emotional statement. He announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh for each bereaved family and Rs 2 lakh for the injured, while appealing for calm and unity during this difficult time.

As Tamil Nadu continues to recover from the shock of this incident, Finance Minister Sitharaman's visit highlights the central government's serious response to the tragedy, while the state engages in discussions about improving crowd control and safety measures at large political gatherings.