Vijay urged Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam members to skip Diwali celebrations. (Photo: ANI, X)
Actor-turned-politician Vijay has urged members of his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party to refrain from celebrating Diwali this year, dedicating the festival’s silence to the 41 people who lost their lives in the Karur stampede tragedy.
A somber atmosphere prevailed at the TVK headquarters in Chennai’s Panaiyur, where the usually festive lights and decorations were absent. Both Vijay and party General Secretary N Anand directed all cadres, district secretaries, and office bearers to avoid Diwali celebrations as a mark of respect to the victims many of whom were women and children.
The directive follows the September 27 tragedy during a massive rally attended by nearly 30,000 supporters in Karur. In his first statement after the incident, Vijay expressed profound grief, saying his heart was “shattered” and that he was “writhing in unbearable pain.” He extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Following the stampede, police arrested two senior TVK functionaries, Mathiyazhagan and C Pounraj, over alleged lapses in crowd management. They were later released on court orders. Cases were also filed against other TVK leaders, including General Secretary Bussy Anand and Joint General Secretary Nirmal Sekar.
The police FIR has named Vijay himself, alleging that his delayed arrival and unauthorised roadshow triggered unrest among the crowd. It also claims the organisers violated safety norms despite repeated warnings from authorities. The TVK, however, has denied all allegations, accusing the ruling DMK of politicising the tragedy and failing to ensure proper crowd control.
The Supreme Court has since ordered a CBI probe into the incident, monitored by a retired judge. A CBI team has already reached Karur to take charge of the investigation.
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Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
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