(Image source from: english.deshabhimani.com)
The leader of TVK, Vijay, has been called by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning related to the stampede in Karur. They have requested him to come to the agency on Monday, January 12.
The Supreme Court has directed a CBI investigation into the incident. The stampede occurred during Vijay's event on September 27, resulting in 41 deaths and over 60 injuries. Around 30,000 people gathered for the rally at a location meant for only about 10,000, leading to chaos. Safety protocols were not followed, and there were no suitable arrangements for food and water, which contributed to the unfortunate event. Vijay was expected to arrive at noon but showed up close to 7 pm. By the time he got there, the crowd had grown, and his campaign bus reportedly triggered an additional surge. During this chaos, numerous people climbed trees, rooftops, and power lines, prompting the authorities to cut off electricity to prevent electrocutions. When Vijay finally arrived, people began to shove one another and threw shoes at the campaign bus to catch his attention, leading to many fainting. The police then used batons to break up the crowd, according to officials.
The day after the event, Vijay offered 20 lakh rupees to each family of the victims and 2 lakh rupees for those injured. He also put his statewide tour on hold. TVK's Karur West District Secretary, Mathiyazhagan, was arrested since police blamed him for the failures that contributed to the disaster. However, he was released later when the court declined to extend his time in custody. More than a month after the incident and the related political reactions, Vijay met with the victims' families at a resort in Mamallapuram near Chennai. During this meeting, the TVK leader expressed his regret for the tragic event and for not being able to visit Karur right after it happened. He told the family members, "I felt guilty for not being able to meet you. I couldn't think about moving on. Now that I've met you, I can start to move forward".
