Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Oct 1: In the aftermath of the stampede at his political rally at Karur in which 41 people, including women and children, were killed triggering massive outrage, actor-politician Vijay and his party, TVK, has suspended his state-wide tour for two weeks.
The TVK announced the decision to suspend Vijay’s tour through its official X handle. “In this situation where we are in pain and sorrow over the loss of our loved ones, the public meeting programme of our party leader for the next two weeks is being temporarily postponed. New details regarding these public meetings will be announced later,” a post read.
This was expected as Vijay is yet to meet the families of the 41 victims, although he announced a relief of Rs 20 lakh for each family. Yesterday, in a recorded video, Vijay said he would meet the families soon. The stampede has also triggered a sense of fear among the party cadre and the public. The police, too, would look at the venues more closely, and a lot needs to be done by both sides to restore public confidence.
The 51-year-old actor has come under fire after 41 people died in a stampede at his rally on Sunday. The state police have said a crowd of nearly 30,000 people gathered at a venue with a capacity of about 10,000. Security guidelines were violated and proper arrangements for food and drinking water were missing, police said, adding that these factors contributed to the tragedy. It was also pointed out that people gathered at the venue around noon, but Vijay arrived only at 7 pm.
Leaders of TVK have trashed these allegations and said they have conducted several massive rallies in the past without any untoward incident. TVK has also alleged a conspiracy hatched by local leaders of the DMK, a charge the state’s ruling party has dismissed.
Key TVK leaders, including the party’s Number 2 and Vijay’s aide N Anand, have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, acts endangering human life and disobedience to an order issued by a public servant. They have also been charged under the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act. TVK’s Karur West district secretary, Mathiyazhagan, and South City treasurer, Pounraj, have been arrested and are being questioned.
In a nearly five-minute-long, Vijay expressed deep anguish over the lives lost in the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. The TVK chief clarified why he left the scene after the stampede, saying that he did not want to cause further panic and trigger another untoward incident there. Denying any wrongdoing on his or TVK’s part, Vijay affirmed that “all the truth will come out soon.”