Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan on Friday, 10 July alleged that approximately 100 people fainted at a rally held in Karur by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay last year, after being made to stand in scorching heat for nearly 10 hours without water or food. Elangovan maintained that the incident was not the result of a police lapse, but a consequence of the prolonged wait under extreme conditions.

What Elangovan Alleged

The DMK leader claimed that Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was scheduled to address the gathering at 12 p.m. but did not arrive on time, leaving the crowd stranded in the open sun. 'There was police protection, and people were made to stand in a crowd for 10 hours without water, under the scorching sun. Vijay was slated to address the gathering at 12 p.m. He did not come there by noon. Because of him, people were made to wait in the scorching sun without water and food, and they fainted,' Elangovan said.

He further alleged that ambulances were unable to reach those who had collapsed in time due to the dense crowd of Vijay's supporters, which he suggested may have contributed to the deaths of 41 people. 'Maybe because of the delay, or because ambulances were not even allowed inside due to the crowd of Vijay's fans — that may have been the reason they could not take the people to the hospital on time,' he said.

DMK Credits Stalin Government's Response

Elangovan credited then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the DMK government for saving 60 of the approximately 100 people who fainted. He alleged that the Karur district hospital lacked adequate medical staff at the time, and that Stalin personally arranged for doctors to be dispatched from other government hospitals to the site. 'Out of 100, as many as 60 people could be saved due to the swift action of the DMK government,' he said.

Elangovan was categorical that the tragedy did not involve a physical stampede. 'There was no calamity, no pushing,' he reiterated, describing the cause as entirely heat-related exhaustion from prolonged exposure without basic provisions.

Context: Vijay Hands Over Compassionate Appointment Orders

The DMK's remarks came in direct response to Chief Minister Vijay handing over compassionate appointment orders to families of those who lost their lives in the Karur incident. Vijay described the tragedy as an 'unhealed wound' that continues to weigh on his heart — a characterisation that drew a pointed counter-narrative from the DMK.

This comes amid an ongoing political contest between the ruling DMK and the TVK, which has emerged as a significant new force in Tamil Nadu politics. The Karur incident, which occurred last year, has become a flashpoint for competing accounts of responsibility, state response, and political accountability.

Key Dispute: Police Lapses vs. Organisational Failure

The central disagreement is over who bears responsibility. Elangovan argued that police cannot be blamed for a medical emergency rooted in the event's organisation — or lack thereof. 'What could the police have done in this? Are they doctors to give medicines and save them?' he said. Critics, however, may argue that event management and crowd welfare protocols fall within the ambit of both police and organisers.

With 41 deaths and a political blame war still unresolved, the Karur tragedy is likely to remain a contested issue ahead of future electoral cycles in Tamil Nadu.