DMK's Kanimozhi Urges Restraint After Deadly Stampede at Actor Vijay's Political Rally Claims 41 Lives

New Delhi:

DMK leader Kanimozhi has urged for calm amid growing tensions between Tamil Nadu's ruling party and actor Vijay's TVK, which is emerging as a rival in next year's election, following Sunday's tragic stampede in Karur district that claimed 41 lives.

Speaking to NDTV on Tuesday, Kanimozhi emphasized the need to await findings from the one-person commission established by Chief Minister MK Stalin before drawing conclusions.

She dismissed TVK's calls for a CBI investigation, asserting that the government-appointed panel would conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident.

However, Kanimozhi didn't hold back criticism of Vijay, stating that he "should have listened to the police" who had advised his party to stop his campaign bus some distance from the venue. "We all must listen to the police," she added pointedly.

The tragedy occurred when approximately 30,000 people—far exceeding the 25,000 authorities were prepared for—gathered to hear Vijay speak. According to police reports filed Monday, the event began at 9 am, with crowds swelling significantly by 11 am.

Police claimed Vijay's delayed arrival from a rally in Namakkal, roughly 35 km away, was exacerbated by unscheduled stops which they characterized as a "deliberate display of political power." These delays reportedly caused the already substantial crowd to grow increasingly restless.

When Vijay finally arrived, the ensuing rush to see the popular actor triggered the deadly stampede, killing 41 people—including 18 women and 10 children—and injuring nearly 100 others. The crush was so severe that emergency vehicles struggled to reach victims, and Vijay's bus became trapped in the chaos.

While Vijay has remained largely silent since the incident, he has announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh for each affected family and is reportedly consulting with senior leaders on next steps. His party has been vocal, however, accusing the DMK of orchestrating a "conspiracy" to damage TVK's reputation before the election.

Kanimozhi suggested that Vijay "should have stayed and helped the victims" and regarding TVK's demand for a CBI investigation, she deferred to the courts, saying, "Let the courts decide..."

The DMK leader emphasized that Chief Minister Stalin is determined to prevent similar tragedies as campaign activities intensify ahead of next year's election—which promises to be a competitive three-way contest between the DMK, the BJP-AIADMK alliance, and Vijay's TVK.

"Everyone," Kanimozhi concluded, with clear reference to TVK and its allegations, "should reflect on the incident and should ensure it does not happen again."