Why is VCK Leader Thol Thirumavalavan Opposing Vijay's Arrest in the Karur Stampede?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Thol Thirumavalavan opposes calls for Vijay's arrest.
- The Tamil Nadu government has initiated a judicial inquiry.
- 41 people died in the Karur stampede.
- Vijay's party has pledged compensation for victims' families.
- The incident is fueling political tensions in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai, Sep 30 (NationPress) The President of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and MP Thol Thirumavalavan has firmly rejected the calls for the arrest of actor-politician Vijay concerning the tragic Karur stampede on September 27, which resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals, including eight children and numerous women.
During a press briefing in Chennai, Thirumavalavan described the insistence on Vijay's arrest as “absurd”, especially since the Tamil Nadu government has initiated a one-member judicial inquiry led by retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan.
“The investigation is underway. Once the report is finalized, the government will make an informed decision. Currently, Vijay is not mentioned in the FIR. Demands for his arrest at this juncture lack any grounds. Should the police or government uncover any direct involvement later, they are free to proceed according to the law,” he stated.
He accused certain factions of intentionally inciting animosity against the DMK and the state administration. “This is a part of a political strategy. Extending condolences is a duty, and in that regard, the visit from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is appreciated. However, the BJP appears bent on leveraging this tragedy for political gain. Even before the investigations commenced, leaders like Annamalai were already making allegations,” Thirumavalavan claimed.
The VCK leader also took to social media to label the BJP’s “fact-finding committee” in Karur as a political tactic. He called on the Congress to counter what he termed as the BJP’s conspiracy by dispatching an all-India committee, inclusive of MPs from various states, to Tamil Nadu.
“We urge Rahul Gandhi to step in immediately to halt the BJP’s divisive politics,” he remarked.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed profound sorrow, announced compensation, and assured strict safety measures for public events once the Jagadeesan Commission concludes its inquiry.
Former CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami called for accountability while also advocating for restraint until the investigation is complete.
Vijay, whose party, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), organized the Karur rally, has pledged ₹20 lakh compensation to each bereaved family and urged his supporters to assist investigators.
The rally on September 27 turned deadly when an unexpectedly large crowd surged forward amidst power outages and panic, causing a catastrophic crush. More than 50 individuals remain injured and are receiving treatment.
Thirumavalavan’s statements highlight the escalating political tension surrounding the tragedy, as families in mourning await clarity from the ongoing official inquiry.