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Annamalai demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the tragedy and clarified that he was “not directly accusing” Vijay for the stampede
Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai (PTI Image)
Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, often known for his sharp attacks on TVK leader Vijay, took a different stand on Sunday after the Karur stampede, accusing the Tamil Nadu police for security lapses during the TVK leader’s rally.
At least 39 people were killed and dozens more hospitalised after a stampede broke out on Saturday during actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur.
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Annamalai demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the tragedy and clarified that he was “not directly accusing” Vijay, who was addressing the rally when the incident occurred.
Annamalai said the state police had failed in crowd management despite prior warnings.
“The DGP claimed 500 policemen were deployed, but there were less than 100 on the street. Permission was given for a rally in a narrow lane where even ambulances could not enter. Police should think a hundred times before granting such approvals,” he told reporters.
Calling for accountability, the BJP leader said, “The officers responsible must be suspended. Only a CBI inquiry can bring out the truth.”
He added that crowd mismanagement was a recurring problem in the state and accused the ruling DMK government of negligence.
The stampede broke out on Saturday during a public meeting of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), where the turnout far exceeded expectations.
The actor was forced to halt his address as attendees collapsed amid the surge.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
“The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening,” the PMO said in a post on X.
Chief Minister MK Stalin has appointed retired Madras High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to head a Commission of Inquiry into the incident.
Meanwhile, a petition filed by BJP councillor Uma Anand seeking a CBI probe into the stampede was mentioned before the Madras High Court.
Justice N Senthilkumar, however, refused to hear the plea, stating that the matter falls under the category of public interest litigation (PIL).
Tamil Nadu, India, India
September 28, 2025, 17:43 IST
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