Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay condemns police, accuses DMK over 2025 Karur stampede

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay returned to Karur in July 2026, his first visit since the September 2025 stampede that killed 41 people during a TVK rally. Addressing a crowd, Vijay said the police could have cancelled the event despite overcrowding and alleged they were pressured not to act. He also accused the ruling DMK of politicising the tragedy and suggested political directives influenced the police response.

Vijay announced a memorial for the victims and distributed government job orders to families of the deceased. The announcements were swiftly met with backlash from the DMK and AIADMK, who rejected his allegations, called his speech a pre‑election ploy ahead of the Karur by‑election, and defended the previous DMK government’s handling of the incident. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi urged restraint, noting the matter remains under CBI investigation.

The controversy has intensified political tensions in Tamil Nadu, with both opposition parties demanding accountability while Vijay maintains that police negligence and political pressure led to the disaster.