CM Vijay To Arrive In Karur Shortly, First Visit Since Stampede That Left 41 Dead
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will visit Karur on Friday, marking his first visit to the district after taking charge as Chief Minister in May. During the visit, he will meet the families of the 41 victims who died in the tragic stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally addressed by him on September 27, 2025.
As part of the visit, Vijay will hand over appointment orders on compassionate grounds to members of 32 families affected by the stampede. The beneficiaries will be appointed in various government departments based on their educational qualifications.
The Chief Minister will also review relief and rehabilitation efforts for the affected families. The visit comes amid political tensions, with the TVK alleging that the DMK government attempted to obstruct the programme, a charge denied by the opposition party.
State Minister and TVK General Secretary N Anand said that only 5,000 people with QR code entry passes would be allowed to attend the “Makkal santhippu” (people’s meet event) scheduled at 11 am at a private college ground on the Karur-Salem Highway. He appealed to people to follow police guidelines.
Vijay will also lay the foundation stone for Evervan Kothari Footwear Private Limited at Manavasi near Krishnarayapuram. The non-leather footwear manufacturing unit, set up with an investment of Rs 1,700 crore, is expected to generate employment for around 13,500 people. The event will be held at the Karur District Collectorate campus.
Vijay will travel from Chennai Airport to Tiruchi by flight on Friday morning and reach Karur by road around 11 am. Later, he will address a public meeting organised by the party on the outskirts of the city.
SC Raps DMK In Karur Stampede Case
The Supreme Court dismissed a plea by the DMK seeking to prevent CM Vijay and other Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leaders from making public statements or meeting the families of those who died in the September 2025 Karur stampede.
A bench comprising Justice KV Viswanathan and Justice Alok Aradhe said the court should not be used as a “political forum” and questioned the basis of the plea. The bench also noted that the apex court had already ordered a CBI probe into the matter.
“How does the Supreme Court, which has itself directed a CBI probe in the matter, accept the plea of a political rival? You want the Chief Minister’s visit to be regulated by the Supreme Court and fix his itinerary?” the bench asked.
While expressing strong disapproval of the petition, the bench also cautioned the petitioner against pursuing the application further. “We would advise you not to press this application here; we will dismiss it. There are repercussions of this which you have not been talked through.”
After the court’s observations, the DMK sought permission to withdraw the applications and pursue other legal remedies. The Supreme Court subsequently dismissed the pleas as withdrawn.
