Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Oct 7: Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay has begun personally reaching out to the families of those killed in the tragic Karur rally stampede, making video calls to express condolences and offer financial and emotional support.

The outreach effort comes in the wake of mounting criticism over Vijay’s initial silence and absence following the September 27 stampede in Veluchamipuram, Karur, where 41 people, including women and children, lost their lives and more than 60 others were injured during what was billed as his first major political roadshow.

Although the venue had capacity for just a few thousand, reports say nearly 30,000 supporters gathered early that morning, long before the scheduled noon start. However, with the event delayed until the evening, the overcrowded, restless crowd turned volatile.

Eyewitnesses describe the moment of chaos unfolding when Vijay appeared atop his campaign vehicle to greet fans. The crowd surged forward, triggering a deadly stampede as people were pushed, trampled, and crushed.

In the immediate aftermath, chief minister M.K. Stalin, opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and several other prominent leaders, including Seeman, Premalatha Vijayakanth, and Kamal Haasan, visited the affected families and injured survivors—heightening criticism over Vijay’s lack of physical presence at the scene.

Amid growing political and public outrage, sources in TVK confirmed that Vijay has now begun speaking directly to bereaved families via video calls, conveying his condolences and pledging the party’s long-term support. He has spoken with around 20 families so far, and assured them he would visit in person after official investigations and relief work progress.

As part of the assistance package, Vijay has committed to providing Rs 20 lac in financial aid to each family of the deceased—in addition to compensation announced by the Tamil Nadu government.

Senior TVK leaders have also been tasked with visiting victims’ homes, delivering support messages from Vijay, and assessing families' immediate needs.

TVK insiders say the party is taking a hard look at its event planning systems in the wake of the tragedy. Vijay is reportedly initiating a review of safety protocols, including the formation of a trained volunteer team to manage future large-scale events and prevent such disasters.

Observers see this outreach as a two-pronged response—a sincere attempt to stand by grieving families and a necessary step to salvage public trust in the early stages of Vijay's political journey. The Karur tragedy has emerged as one of the deadliest crowd disasters in Tamil Nadu’s political history, casting a long shadow over TVK’s emergence on the state’s political landscape.