Karur stampede: Why Vijay didn’t visit Karur after TVK rally stampede? Tamil superstar says it would lead to…

Vijay rally stampede: Actor-politician Vijay, who faced online flak for not visiting affected persons and families who lost their loved ones in a tragic stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur, has issued an explanation for delaying his visit, claiming that his presence would result in an “unusual situation”.

Why Vijay didn’t visit Karur stampede victims?

In a video on his social media pages, Vijay claimed his presence in Karur would “lead to an unusual situation”,  and assured he will meet the victims’ families soon. “I didn’t visit Karur as it would lead to an unusual situation. I will meet you (families of victims, the injured) soon,” he said.

The Tamil superstar said he never faced such a “painful situation” in his life, and challenged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin to “do anything to him,” but not his party colleagues, adding that “truth” about the Karur stampede tragedy will come out soon, and he was ready to face action.

“CM sir, if you have a thought of seeking vengeance, you may do anything to me and not touch the party men,” the top actor said.

What happened at Vijay’s Karur rally?

On Saturday evening, 41 people, including nine children, were crushed to death, when a stampede broke out at a TVK rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur where they were awaiting Vijay’s arrival. The TVK chief arrived at the venue at around 7: 40 PM where more than 30,000 people were waiting under the hot sun without sufficient food and water, according to the state police.

The actor-politician addressed the overcrowded rally as the crowd began to swell, in hopes of catching a glimpse of the superstar. However, tragedy unfolded when several people fainted due to overcrowding leading to a stamped, prompting Vijay to abruptly ended his address.

As the situation worsened, TVK workers raised an alarm, and along with Vijay, threw water bottles at the crowd from the actor’s campaign bus. “As fans were chanting Vijay’s name, several did not realize that it was a stampede and that people fell down. Many who happened to place their legs on people who fell down also got tripped and fell,” a youth who survived the stampede told reporters.

TVK leaders sent to 14-day custody

Meanwhile, police have registered cases against TVK cadres, including senior leaders Bussy N Anand and CTR Nirmal Kumar, in connection with the September 27 tragedy, while two office bearers of the party were sent to 14 days’ judicial custody on Tuesday

According to the police, TVK’s West District Secretary V P Mathiyalagan and Karur Central District Secretary Kasi Pounraj were named in the FIR and and remanded to judicial custody.

Vijay claimed that he left Karur in haste when the stampede occurred, in view of people’s safety.

(With inputs from agencies)