Karur Stampede: 40 Dead, Probe On, BJP Demands CBI
A devastating stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has resulted in 40 fatalities and left 67 injured. The rally was organized by the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), the party of popular actor Joseph Vijay. The tragic incident has triggered a multi-faceted investigation and a significant political response. A key factor being scrutinized is the reported seven-hour delay in Vijay's arrival at the venue. The waiting crowd, which had endured hours of hunger and thirst in the heat, reportedly became restless, leading to the deadly surge and chaos. In the aftermath, police have filed a case against two TVK party officials, Anand and Nirmal Kumar. A judicial inquiry, headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, has been initiated to determine the exact causes and failures in crowd management. Meanwhile, financial aid for the victims' families has been announced from both the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and from Vijay himself. The incident has also drawn strong political commentary. BJP leader Annamalai has stated that Vijay was not at fault, arguing that it is the police's responsibility to estimate crowd size and deploy adequate forces. He has further demanded a CBI investigation into the Tamil Nadu stampede, adding another layer to the ongoing probe. The event, now a major trending news story, highlights critical lapses in event planning and public safety protocols for large gatherings. The investigation continues to examine the sequence of events, the emergency response, and the overall responsibility for the Karur rally stampede.