Karur Stampede Tragedy: Hema Malini Leads NDA Investigation Into TVK Rally Incident That Claimed 41 Lives

"The TVK had requested a larger venue, but the government should have accommodated this need," she remarked.

Chennai:

An NDA fact-finding delegation, headed by BJP MP and veteran actress Hema Malini, conducted a site visit to Karur on Tuesday to investigate the circumstances of the devastating stampede that resulted in 41 fatalities during Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay's campaign rally on September 27.

The delegation met with victims' families and those injured before speaking to the press.

Hema Malini, visibly affected by the situation, stated that the tragedy could have been averted had officials provided a more spacious venue for Vijay's gathering.

"For a celebrity of his magnitude, allocating merely a narrow road for such an enormous crowd was inappropriate. Many women and young girls had gathered to see Vijay. This disaster would not have occurred if a more expansive area had been designated," she explained.

The actress-turned-politician emphasized that the team had collected firsthand testimonies from the location and survivors.

"We engaged with affected individuals and listened to their suffering. Such a massive tragedy is unprecedented in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. TVK had requested a larger venue, but the government should have granted this," she stated.

Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, another member of the NDA fact-finding team, reinforced these sentiments and called for accountability from Tamil Nadu authorities and law enforcement.

"Visiting the site was emotionally overwhelming. A location unsuitable for even 300 people was used to accommodate thousands. The government must clarify the police's involvement and explain what went wrong," he noted, adding that the NDA's parliamentary fact-finding committee would deliver a comprehensive report to BJP national president J.P. Nadda within seven days.

Thakur additionally proposed that a sitting Supreme Court judge conduct an independent investigation.

The September 27 rally in Karur's Velusamypuram, part of Vijay's expanding political movement, became fatal when massive crowds pushed forward amid chaos reportedly caused by insufficient space and electrical failures.

Most victims were women and children who were crushed during the commotion. The incident has ignited political controversy in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling DMK defending its actions while opposition parties accuse the government of negligence.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced a judicial inquiry headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan and committed to implementing safety protocols for future political events.