The Tamil Nadu Police have refuted claims of a conspiracy causing the chaos at TVK Chief Vijay's Karur rally. State police stated that the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leadership disregarded official guidelines during the Karur rally, which ended tragically with 40 casualties due to a stampede. The police emphasized that Vijay's party gathered an extensive crowd, despite the limited space available.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), David Davidson Devasirvatham of Tamil Nadu Police, denied TVK's claim that stone pelting caused the stampede, clarifying that no such incident occurred. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, ADGP Davidson stated, 'There was a delay in Vijay's arrival at the Karur rally. Crowds from Namakkal, where Vijay was also supposed to rally, gathered in Karur, making the crowd uncontrollable.'
The rally had officially sought permission for an audience of 12,000 people, as stated by ADGP Davidson, with adequate police presence arranged accordingly. However, due to delays in the Namakkal rally, Vijay only arrived at Karur by 6 PM, leading to an increasing crowd, with people flocking from both Namakkal and Karur to catch a glimpse of Vijay. The fervent crowd rushed towards his vehicle in their eagerness to see him, showing little willingness to heed any instructions, even from volunteers, bouncers, or other staff accompanying them.
The rally organizers defied authorities' suggestions to hold speeches in less populated areas, ADGP Davidson revealed. Additionally, inadequate lighting in Vijay's bus meant he was not visible to the crowd, resulting in them trailing alongside it. ADGP Davidson also countered claims about the police underestimating the crowd size. The rally, held on September 27 in Karur, descended into chaos around 9 PM, with attendees fainting and later several tragic fatalities, including women and children. By Sunday evening, the death toll had risen to 40, with approximately 70 individuals hospitalized.
Vijay's party, TVK, has approached the Madras High Court, appealing for an independent investigation, labeling the incident a orchestrated conspiracy. TVK alleged that the stampede during the rally was instigated by an orchestrated blackout, stone attacks targeting the congregation, and a police baton charge, which led to the ensuing chaos and stampede. As allegations and counter-allegations continue to surface, clarity on whether the mishap resulted from flawed venue selection or crowd miscalculation remains elusive.
