Vijay Announces Rs 20 Lakh Compensation for Karur Stampede Victims; CM Stalin Orders Inquiry

Actor-politician Vijay has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh for the families of the 39 people who lost their lives in the tragic stampede at his rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. Additionally, Rs 2 lakh has been pledged for each of the 56 injured.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening when an overwhelming crowd surged at the venue, which was booked for 10,000 but saw nearly 27,000 attendees.

Vijay expressed his sorrow on social media, calling the tragedy an “irreparable loss” and sharing an emotional message mourning the victims.

His delayed arrival—scheduled for 3 PM but only reaching by 7:30 PM—was cited by police as a contributing factor to the crowd’s restlessness.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also announced Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured. He has ordered a judicial inquiry led by a retired high court judge to investigate the causes and prevent future occurrences.

Police officials highlighted the lack of food, water, and shelter for attendees who had waited under the scorching sun for hours. The incident has sparked widespread concern over crowd management and safety protocols at political events.