Vijay to Meet Families of Karur Stampede Victims in Mahabalipuram on October 27

Chennai, Oct 2025: Actor-turned-politician Vijay is expected to meet the families of the 41 victims of the Karur stampede at Mahabalipuram near Chennai on October 27, nearly a month after the tragic incident that also left over 60 people injured.

According to sources from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party has booked around 50 rooms at a resort in Mahabalipuram to host the bereaved families and facilitate Vijay’s personal interaction with them. “He will meet each family individually to offer his condolences and assistance,” a party insider said.

Relatives of the victims confirmed they had received invitations and that transportation arrangements had been made to bring them to the venue. “They have arranged a bus for us to reach the venue. Many of us are going,” one family member told reporters in Karur.

The stampede occurred on September 27 during a crowd surge at a public meeting addressed by Vijay, marking one of the first major events of his political outfit. The tragedy triggered widespread outrage and calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident.

While the upcoming meeting aims to offer personal condolences and support, it has sparked fresh debate on social media. Several users criticised the actor-politician for asking grieving families to travel to Mahabalipuram instead of visiting them in Karur. “It would have been more respectful and humane if he had gone to their homes,” one user posted.

Defending the arrangement, a senior TVK official said Vijay had previously attempted to visit Karur but was denied permission by authorities due to law and order concerns. “This is the only feasible way for him to meet all families together in a safe environment,” the official said.

However, some victims’ families expressed disappointment over the plan. Perumal of Velusamypuram, who lost his two young daughters in the stampede, said, “It is not proper for us to go to him. He should visit us.”

Sources added that only the families of the deceased have been invited to Mahabalipuram, while those injured in the stampede are unlikely to attend due to health and logistical concerns. The meeting is expected to provide a platform for the families to express their grievances and receive personal assurances of support from the actor-politician and his party.