Back in Karur, Vijay alleges police conspiracy for September 2025 stampede

In a highly charged visit, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay returned to Karur today (July 10), nearly 10 months after the tragic stampede during his election rally that claimed 41 lives.

Addressing the gathering, Vijay accused the police – then under a DMK government – of staging a “drama” by "luring" him to the venue despite knowing about the massive crowd, and directly questioned the DMK’s role in the incident. The police he trusted on that fateful day betrayed him, he claimed, turning what was meant to be a people’s meeting into a deadly tragedy.

Vijay attacks DMK

Vijay launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, particularly targeting the DMK’s Karur strongman V Senthil Balaji, claiming that his new government’s strong anti-corruption drive in Tamil Nadu has left the DMK trembling.

Also read: Madras HC allows Vijay govt to give jobs to kin of Karur victims

A seemingly emotional Vijay described the Karur event as the “biggest pain” in his life. He lashed out at those trying to blame him, asking how they could mock his pain or call him a coward for not visiting Karur earlier.

The speech also saw Vijay launch a fierce attack on the DMK, accusing the party of seeking political gain from the tragedy. He contrasted his government’s anti-corruption drive with the previous regime’s alleged scams, claiming that mere mention of “party fund” in the Assembly made the Opposition run away in fear. Vijay highlighted early achievements of his 50-day-old government, including clearing pending promotions, launching major industrial projects worth thousands of crores, and claims of bribe-free government offices.

DMK hits back

He announced that TVK would build a memorial in Karur for the victims so future generations remember the alleged "conspiracy". The visit, which also included handing over government jobs on compassionate grounds to victims’ families, has intensified the ongoing TVK-DMK clash.

Also read: Vijay’s Jana Nayagan gets CBFC clearance, to hit theatres after months-long delay

The speech has triggered a fierce counterattack from the DMK. Party leaders, including MP Kanimozhi and spokesperson TKS Elangovan, hit back at Vijay, saying he “fled” to Chennai while DMK workers were helping victims on the ground last September. They dismissed Vijay's allegations against the police as an attempt to divert attention, claiming the deaths resulted from dehydration and overcrowding, not conspiracy. The DMK also questioned why TVK functionaries failed to provide immediate aid to the affected families.

"Who ran away without meeting the people in Karur? Who helped them? The people know the answer very well," said Kanimozhi. "Everyone has a duty, and they must understand that. As for an issue that is under investigation, at least I have to perform my duty".

Balaji questions Vijay

“Who stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Karur, my own people, whose blood runs in my veins, during the tragic incident on September 27 last year? Who was there in the field, protecting and rescuing them?” Balaji asked pointedly.

He continued: “Who worked day and night without rest for my Karur brethren, providing every possible assistance? It was none other than the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, and the then Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin. They rushed to the spot, consoled the affected families, made immediate arrangements for advanced medical treatment, saved lives, and wiped away their tears.”

Balaji contrasted this with Vijay’s alleged behaviour: “Even in that extraordinary situation where a large number of people had fainted and collapsed, who was it that continued speaking on stage after throwing a water bottle and asking for an ambulance, without prioritising the rescue of the people?”

He further alleged: “Who was it that, upon receiving news of the tragedy, claimed at Trichy Airport that so many journalists had died, yet did not bother to visit the affected people and instead flew away in a private plane? The people of Karur know very well who that person is.”