What Led to the Karur Stampede? TN BJP Chief Demands SC Probe and Criticizes DMK Government for 'Negligence'
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Synopsis
In a scathing critique, BJP's Nainar Nagenthran holds the DMK government accountable for the Karur stampede that claimed 39 lives. He demands a Supreme Court probe and substantial compensation for victims' families, highlighting political bias and administrative failures. As the political storm intensifies, the call for justice grows louder.
Key Takeaways
- BJP's Nainar Nagenthran demands justice for victims of the Karur stampede.
- Criticism of DMK government's negligence in managing the rally.
- Call for a Supreme Court investigation into the incident.
- Inadequate compensation for victims’ families has been a major point of contention.
- Political tensions are rising as the situation develops.
Karur, Sep 28 (NationPress) BJP state President Nainar Nagenthran strongly criticized the DMK government following the devastating Karur stampede that resulted in the deaths of 39 individuals and left over 50 injured during the campaign rally of actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay.
After visiting the mortuary at Karur Government Medical College Hospital, where post-mortems were in progress, Nagenthran called for accountability and proposed a judicially supervised investigation.
He described the scale of this tragedy as “unprecedented and unacceptable”, urging the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the incident.
“The Tamil Nadu Police's negligence is evident in this tragedy. The government fails to provide sufficient security during rallies held by opposition parties. Despite knowing that Vijay's rally would attract a large crowd, they allocated a restricted area and failed to manage the influx appropriately,” he stated.
Addressing the government’s relief efforts, the BJP leader criticized the Rs 10 lakh compensation announced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for each victim's family as “grossly inadequate”.
He demanded a compensation of Rs one crore per deceased family and adequate support for the injured.
“The government must recognize the seriousness of this disaster—39 valuable lives have been lost. Their families deserve justice and appropriate relief,” he emphasized.
Nagenthran further accused the administration of political bias and operational failures. “When DMK leaders visit, they are granted immediate access to victims. However, when we, the opposition, attempt to console families, we face deliberate delays and obstructions,” he claimed.
He also alleged that the administration was slow in conducting post-mortems and hinted at possible sabotage, referencing reports of intentional power outages at the site.
The former Minister Senthil Balaji was specifically named due to suspicions surrounding his involvement in the mismanagement.
Linking the incident to a pattern of DMK negligence, Nagenthran recounted the earlier Kallakurichi hooch tragedy this year, where 65 lives were lost and criticized the Chief Minister for failing to visit then. “Accountability is consistently absent,” he remarked, demanding the immediate resignation of those responsible for the Karur disaster.
The remarks from the BJP state chief have intensified the political controversy following the stampede.
The state government has initiated a judicial investigation led by retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan, while Chief Minister Stalin visited Karur early on Sunday to console the survivors and families of the deceased.
Point of View
The tragic events at the Karur stampede highlight significant issues surrounding public safety and governmental responsibility. The call for accountability from Nainar Nagenthran reveals the urgent need for effective measures to prevent such disasters in the future. This incident not only demands immediate attention but also serves as a reminder of the necessity for robust governance and transparent communication in times of crisis.
NationPress
28/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Karur stampede?
The stampede occurred during a large campaign rally, which was poorly managed in terms of crowd control by the authorities, despite prior knowledge of the expected turnout.
How many people were affected by the stampede?
The tragic incident resulted in the loss of 39 lives and left over 50 individuals injured.
What compensation has been offered to the victims' families?
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each victim's family, which has been criticized as inadequate by opposition leaders.
Is there an investigation underway?
Yes, the state government has ordered a judicial probe led by retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan.
What are the political implications of this incident?
The stampede has led to heightened political tensions, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and criticizing the DMK government's handling of public safety.
