Rahul Gandhi, a prominent figure in the Congress party, contacted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to express his condolences concerning the tragic stampede in Karur. Chief Minister Stalin shared details of their conversation on X, extending his gratitude to Gandhi.
In his X post, Stalin stated: “My dear brother Thiru Rahul Gandhi, thank you for contacting me on the phone and for expressing your deep concern about the tragic incident in Karur and for sincerely inquiring about the steps taken to save the lives of those being treated.”
The stampede occurred during a public gathering organized in Karur on Saturday by actor-turned-politician Vijay Thalapathy. The devastating event resulted in 40 fatalities and more than 70 injuries. Reports indicate that the stampede was caused by a combination of extreme overcrowding and insufficient escape routes. Unconfirmed reports also suggest that the panic was further fueled by rumors concerning a missing child.
The state government has announced financial assistance for the families of those who died and those severely injured. A specialized medical team has been deployed to provide medical care to the injured, and all hospitals have been put on alert. Additionally, actor Vijay has offered financial aid: ₹20 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and ₹2 lakh for those injured.
Opposition parties have strongly criticized the Stalin government’s handling of the Karur disaster. Leaders from the AIADMK and BJP in the state expressed their sorrow and voiced concerns regarding the approval of such a large-scale event. They have accused the government of negligence, alleging that this negligence contributed to the tragic outcome.
An investigation has been launched by Chief Minister Stalin, with a high-level committee formed to examine the incident. The committee’s mandate includes assessing the crowd management protocols in place and identifying any officials deemed responsible for any negligence. Police authorities are also gathering video footage and witness testimonies from the site.
