Vijay Meets Families of Karur Stampede Victims, Promises Support for Education and Healthcare

Chennai, Oct 2025 : Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President C. Joseph Vijay on Monday met the families of those who lost their lives in the Karur stampede tragedy, offering heartfelt condolences and pledging full support for their future welfare.

The meeting took place at a private resort in Mamallapuram, where the bereaved families were brought by TVK functionaries to meet the actor-turned-politician in a secure and private setting.

During the emotional interaction, Vijay personally spoke with each family, offering words of comfort and promising to cover all expenses related to the education and medical care of surviving family members. “I stand by you in this difficult time. Your pain is mine too,” Vijay reportedly told the grieving families, assuring them that they were not alone in their loss.

This was Vijay’s first direct interaction with the families since the September 27 stampede during his public rally in Karur, where a massive crowd surge led to the deaths of 41 people, including several women and children. The incident sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu and sparked widespread criticism over crowd management at political events.

Following the tragedy, Vijay had initially intended to visit Karur to personally offer condolences, but the plan was cancelled due to security concerns. To ensure a peaceful and safe environment, TVK organisers instead arranged for the families to be brought to Chennai for the private meeting.

According to party sources, about 38 families travelled by private buses, while a few others arrived by air. The closed-door meeting was attended only by Vijay’s close aides and senior TVK leaders, maintaining a solemn and private atmosphere.

“He wanted to ensure that the families received his condolences directly and that their immediate needs were taken care of,” a senior TVK functionary said.

The Karur stampede has prompted judicial scrutiny, with both the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court monitoring the ongoing investigation into the lapses that led to the incident.

Vijay’s outreach on Monday, though delayed, has been widely viewed as a meaningful gesture of compassion and accountability, underscoring his efforts to balance his growing political responsibilities with his image as a people’s leader.