Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed a heated debate Wednesday on the deadly stampede at TVK chief Vijay’s rally at Karur 27 September, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin targeting the actor-turned-politician, saying his delayed arrival at the venue led to “congestion”.
However, Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami blamed the DMK government for its “failure” to ensure enough security at the venue.
Addressing the House on the incident, Chief Minister Stalin said the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had sought permission for a rally, and several venues were denied due to traffic concerns.
“Later, the district secretary identified another location, and approval was granted under 11 conditions. Police anticipated a huge turnout. Permission was given from 3 pm to 10 pm, and the party had assured that the leader would arrive by noon. But he arrived only at 7 pm. This delay led to congestion,” Stalin said, without naming Vijay.
He also extended condolences to the bereaved families.
Responding to Stalin’s critical remarks, Palaniswami launched a direct attack on him, alleging his government’s “negligence” led to the death of 41 people in the stampede. “Had police given enough protection to Vijay’s campaign, the unfortunate incident could have been averted. It is the failure of the DMK government,” he told the assembly.
DMK MLA and minister Durai Murugan then asked EPS why he could not appreciate the chief minister for visiting the site immediately and taking swift measures.
When EPS said it was his responsibility as the chief minister, Stalin took a dig at him. “By that logic, would you say the same for the Thoothukudi police firing when you were chief minister?” he said, referring to the death of 13 anti-Sterlite protesters who were killed in police firing.
EPS countered, “Then why didn’t you visit Kallakurichi after the illicit liquor tragedy? (in June last year, in which 60 people were killed).”
Stalin replied that ministers had been deputed there immediately. “What happened in Kallakurichi was people died due to consuming hooch, and in Karur, innocent people were crushed to death in the stampede.”
Subsequently, AIADMK MLAs raised slogans demanding that remarks regarding the Thoothukudi firing incident be expunged. When the Speaker refused, AIADMK members, led by EPS, staged a walkout.
Speaking to reporters after the walkout, EPS said the government had failed to give proper answers when the opposition raised questions under Rule 56 on the Karur tragedy.
“I told the House that it would be appropriate if the chief minister responded after the Opposition had spoken on the Karur incident. However, the speaker allowed the chief minister to speak first,” EPS said, blaming the DMK government’s “negligence” for the deaths.
“Had the government under Stalin’s leadership provided adequate security for the meeting, these deaths could have been prevented. The government shows one kind of justice to the ruling party and another to the opposition. It is this negligence that caused the death of 41 people. But now I hear those remarks have been removed from the Assembly records,” EPS said.
Asked about the allegations that he was playing politics over the tragic incident, EPS said it is not true.
“The chief minister calls this a matter of Tamil pride. I too speak from the same Tamil sentiment. I visited the spot the next morning, paid my respects, and offered condolences, I did not make it political. But when I speak in the Assembly, they deny me a chance and let the chief minister talk instead. Why this anxiety, unless there’s something to hide?” EPS asked.
கரூரில் நிகழ்ந்த பெருந்துயரம் தொடர்பாக எந்த ஒரு தனிநபர் மீதும் பழிசுமத்திப் பலிகடா ஆக்குவது நமது நோக்கம் இல்லை. எனினும், திட்டமிட்டு அரசு மீது பொய்களைச் சிலர் பரப்பும்போது, நடந்த உண்மையை விளக்க வேண்டியது கடமையாகிறது.
இனி இப்படி நிகழாமல் தடுப்பதற்கான ‘நிலையான வழிகாட்டு… pic.twitter.com/GrzLEBEESv
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) October 15, 2025
After the AIADMK staged a walkout, the chief minister told the assembly that the opposition is raising their voice for a “third party” as they are “desperate to form an alliance with the party”.
“Let them hear it. Even if that alliance materialises, the DMK only will win the election,” he told the assembly.
Later in a post on X, the chief minister said his intention was not “to blame any individual and make them scapegoat”.
“Whenever some people deliberately spread lies about the government, it becomes our duty to explain the truth of what happened. The government is formulating standard guidelines to prevent this from happening again. We will take all measures based on the final verdict of the Supreme Court. All parties will act with a sense of responsibility that human lives are the most precious thing!,” Stalin said in a post on X.
The stampede happened 27 September when a massive crowd surge at Vijay’s campaign rally at Velusamypuram in Tamil Nadu’s Karur spiralled into a chaos. Vijay was scheduled to campaign for his TVK in Namakkal and Karur districts on that day. He was supposed to begin his campaign in Namakkal at 8.45 am, but came to the venue around 2.45 pm, and spoke for about 15 minutes before rushing to Karur.
He was supposed to have begun his rally at Karur at 12.45 pm, but reached the venue around 7.30 pm. Eyewitnesses told ThePrint there was a huge rush of people and chaos set in as they jostled to see him.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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