What Will FM Nirmala Sitharaman Discuss with Karur Stampede Survivors?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nirmala Sitharaman to meet with affected families.
- 41 lives lost and over 50 injured in the stampede.
- Judicial probe initiated for crowd safety evaluation.
- Prime Minister and Tamil Nadu CM announced compensation for victims.
- Urgent discussion on crowd control measures at political events.
Karur, Sep 29 (NationPress) The Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is set to visit Karur on Monday to connect with the survivors and the families of those affected by the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 41 individuals and left over 50 injured during the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally led by actor and politician Vijay at Velayuthampalayam, Tamil Nadu, on September 27.
Accompanying her will be Union Ministers L. Murugan and Nainar Nagendran. She is anticipated to visit various hospitals and extend her condolences to the grieving families.
The chaos erupted when a large crowd gathered to listen to Vijay's speech. Officials reported that the venue became dangerously crowded as the audience surged forward at the conclusion of his address, resulting in panic and a deadly crush. Many of the victims were women and children, and medical professionals indicate that some injured individuals remain in critical condition.
Messages of sorrow have been shared nationwide. President Droupadi Murmu expressed her deep sadness regarding the loss of lives and offered her prayers for the bereaved families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his grief and approved an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each from the PMNRF to the families of the deceased, along with Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M.K. Stalin arrived in Karur shortly after the incident to meet with injured victims and their families at the Government Medical College Hospital. He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each grieving family and assured complete state support.
CM Stalin has also called for a judicial inquiry, led by retired High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to investigate the tragedy and recommend safety measures for future events.
Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) from the AIADMK offered his condolences while holding the government responsible for the mismanagement of the overwhelming turnout and urged for enhanced safety protocols at political gatherings.
The TVK president, Vijay, visibly moved by the calamity, described it as an “irreparable loss”. In a heartfelt message, he announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for each bereaved family and Rs 2 lakh for the injured, calling for peace and unity.
As the state grapples with the aftermath, FM Sitharaman’s visit highlights the urgency of the Centre's response while Tamil Nadu seeks to improve crowd control and safety standards at large political events.