Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday launched a sharp attack on the previous DMK government over the 2025 Karur stampede, accusing it of using the tragedy for “political mileage” and questioning the role of the police in handling the massive crowd that gathered for the event.
During his first visit to Karur since becoming Chief Minister, Vijay said the police failed to warn his party about the rapidly increasing crowd or take preventive measures despite having the authority to call off the event if the situation became uncontrollable.
Addressing a public gathering, Vijay said, “The police could have alerted us that the crowd was swelling and had become unmanageable. They had every right to cancel the meeting. Instead, they escorted us on the highway without taking any such step.”
He recalled that he had thanked the police during the event because he was unaware of what had unfolded behind the scenes.
“I trusted the police fully and even thanked them at the meeting. I didn’t know about the drama. Who is responsible for this? Under whose instruction did all this happen?” Vijay asked, questioning the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The Chief Minister alleged that the then DMK government attempted to turn the incident into a political opportunity.
“They tried to gain political mileage,” Vijay said, referring to the previous administration, while adding that the deaths of 41 people in the stampede continue to cause him immense pain.
Calling the victims “children of our sisters,” he said the tragedy remains one of the darkest chapters in the state’s recent history and announced that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) would build a memorial in honour of those who lost their lives.
Vijay also recalled that although he was unable to meet the victims’ families immediately after the stampede last year, he later met and consoled them near Chennai.
Following the event, the Chief Minister held a roadshow in Karur, where large crowds gathered along the route to greet him.
Meanwhile, TVK General Secretary and state minister N. Anand said only 5,000 people carrying QR code entry passes were allowed to attend the programme in line with police guidelines.
The issue has once again triggered political debate, with the Karur stampede continuing to remain a sensitive subject in Tamil Nadu politics even as investigations into the incident are underway.
Q1. Why did CM Vijay criticise the DMK over the Karur stampede?
CM Vijay alleged that the previous DMK government attempted to gain political mileage from the 2025 Karur stampede instead of addressing the tragedy responsibly.
Q2. What did CM Vijay say about the police?
He said the police should have warned organisers about the swelling crowd or cancelled the event if the situation had become unmanageable.
Q3. What announcement did CM Vijay make during his Karur visit?
He announced that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) would build a memorial for the 41 victims of the Karur stampede.
Q4. Why is the Karur stampede still politically significant?
The incident claimed 41 lives in 2025 and continues to be a major political issue, with responsibility for the tragedy remaining a matter of public and political debate.
