CM C. Joseph Vijay Calls Karur Stampede an ‘Unhealed Wound’, Hands Over Compassionate Job Appointments to Victims’ Families

Karur, July 2026 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday distributed compassionate appointment orders to members of families who lost their loved ones in the tragic Karur stampede, describing the incident as an “unhealed wound” that continues to weigh heavily on his heart. The initiative forms part of the state government’s rehabilitation package aimed at providing long-term financial security to families devastated by one of Tamil Nadu’s deadliest public tragedies in recent years.

The stampede occurred on September 27 last year during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) election campaign rally in Karur, on the eve of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The tragedy claimed the lives of 41 people and left several others injured, prompting widespread outrage and demands for accountability. A probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the incident is currently underway.

Following the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu government announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each bereaved family, while the TVK extended an additional financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh to the victims’ families. As part of the government’s rehabilitation efforts, compassionate appointments were also promised to eligible family members.

At a function held at the Atlas Arena in Karur, Chief Minister Vijay personally handed over appointment orders to one member from each of the 32 eligible families. The appointments were made based on the educational qualifications and skills of the beneficiaries, with the government stating that the initiative was intended to ensure stable employment and financial support for families that had lost their primary breadwinners.

The programme, however, coincided with proceedings before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, where a petition challenging the government’s decision to grant permanent government jobs to the victims’ families came up for hearing. The court directed that, for the time being, the beneficiaries may be offered temporary appointments until the matter is decided.

Addressing the gathering, an emotional Vijay said the Karur tragedy had left a lasting impact on him and continued to cause immense personal grief.

“My heartfelt greetings to all my brothers and sisters of Karur who remain close to my heart,” he said. “No matter how successful a person becomes in life, the pain and scars carried in the heart never disappear. I stand before you today after overcoming many emotional hardships, but the Karur tragedy remains an unhealed wound.”

The Chief Minister said he viewed the victims as members of his own family and recalled the emotional trauma caused by the incident.

“I lost my brothers, my sisters and innocent children in Karur. That pain has never left me. Many blamed me for what happened, but I entered public life to serve the people, and I am committed to ensuring that such tragedies never occur again,” he said.

Vijay also used the occasion to launch a political attack on the Opposition, alleging that opposition members had walked out of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly whenever discussions related to “party funds” were raised.

He further claimed that previous administrations were plagued by widespread corruption across government departments, while asserting that his government had significantly reduced bribery and corruption in public offices.

“The people have begun to feel the difference. They believe corruption in government departments has reduced considerably under our administration, and we will continue to strengthen transparency and accountability,” he said.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to fulfilling its electoral promises, Vijay announced that a key welfare scheme promised during the election campaign would soon be implemented. Under the scheme, the government will present a gold ring, symbolically on behalf of the maternal uncle, to newborn children on the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, popularly known as Arignar Anna.

The Chief Minister said the programme reflected his government’s commitment to social welfare and cultural traditions while continuing to focus on the welfare of ordinary families across the state.

The event concluded with the distribution of appointment orders to the beneficiaries, marking another step in the state’s efforts to support families affected by the Karur stampede. While legal proceedings regarding the appointments continue, the government maintained that providing employment opportunities remains an essential part of helping the bereaved families rebuild their lives after the devastating tragedy.