Hema Malini meets Karur stampede victims, `Heard their pain`

Days after the tragic Karur stampede claimed over 40 lives, a fact-finding delegation of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by BJP MP and actor Hema Malini, visited the Tamil Nadu town. On Tuesday, the delegation arrived to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragic stampede that claimed 41 lives during Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay`s campaign rally on September 27.  

Hema Malini visits victims

The team met the families of victims and injured persons before addressing the media. Actor and BJP MP Hema Malini was visibly moved by what she witnessed while addressing the media. She said that the tragedy could have been avoided if the rally was organised at a bigger venue. "For a star of his stature, giving just a small road for such a huge crowd was unfair. Many women and young girls had come to see Vijay. If a bigger space had been allotted, this tragedy would not have happened," she said.

The actor-politician stressed that the team had gathered first-hand accounts from the site and the survivors.

"We met those affected and heard their pain. In Tamil Nadu`s political history, such a large-scale accident is unprecedented. TVK had asked for a slightly bigger space, but the government should have granted it," she noted.

Anurag Thakur says venue could not even hold 300 people

Anurag Thakur, former Union minister and NDA fact-finding team member, echoed her sentiments and demanded accountability from the Tamil Nadu government and police.

"When we went to the site, we could not control our emotions. A venue that cannot hold 300 people was made to host thousands. The government must explain the police`s role and what went wrong," he said, adding that the NDA fact-finding team of MPs would submit a detailed report to BJP national president J.P. Nadda within a week.

Vijay reacts to Karur stampede

Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay took to social media to release a video statement after the Karur stampede. The tragic incident, which occurred during a rally led by Vijay, claimed the lives of over 40 people. In his message, the actor expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss and also addressed the political controversy surrounding the tragedy.

In a nearly 5-minute-long video, Vijay said, "I have not faced a painful situation like this in my life. My heart aches. There is only pain in my heart. People came to see me at the campaign. I am always grateful for the love and affection people have for me. To ensure there was no compromise on people’s safety, I set politics aside, chose a place that was safe for the public, and requested the police department. But what should not have happened, happened.”