Former Minister and Karur DMK district secretary V. Senthilbalaji delivered a strong defense of the State government on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, following the tragic stampede at actor Vijay’s political rally in Karur. He asserted that “what the government should do, it has done fully,” and instead blamed Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for what he described as poor crowd management and inadequate arrangements.
During a press conference at the DMK office in Karur, Mr. Senthilbalaji meticulously addressed allegations, providing timelines and drawing comparisons to his own party’s past events. He also used video footage to support his statements.
Regarding accusations that TVK was denied a suitable venue, Senthilbalaji clarified that the party itself had requested only three specific locations: Lighthouse Corner, Uzhavar Sandhai, and Velusamypuram.
Mr. Senthilbalaji highlighted the DMK’s own “Mupperum Vizha” event, recently held in Karur, which attracted nearly 2.5 lakh attendees. He contrasted the preparations: “We secured private land, obtained all necessary permissions, and organized the event with proper arrangements, including water bottles, biscuits, and even medical aid for individuals with diabetes and high blood pressure. It is the responsibility of the political party to request a venue suitable for their expected crowd and to ensure the well-being of the people. I am not pointing fingers, but tell me — after the stampede, thousands of slippers were scattered. Did anyone spot even a single water bottle there? Whose duty was it to provide such provisions?”
Addressing claims that street lights were intentionally turned off, he explained, “The immense overcrowding led people to force open the generator shed gates, causing an additional light to switch off. However, no street lights were deliberately turned off. All TV channels were broadcasting live; if power had been intentionally cut, surely at least one media outlet would have captured it?”
Mr. Senthilbalaji also presented a detailed timeline to refute allegations about slippers being thrown when Mr. Vijay spoke about him.
“He spoke for approximately 19 minutes. The first slipper was thrown around the 6-minute mark. Forty seconds later, a second one. At 7 minutes and 12 seconds, one of the actor’s assistants informed him that people were fainting. By the 14th minute, an ambulance was dispatched. It was only in the 16th minute that he began to speak about me. Therefore, how can anyone suggest that slippers were thrown because of my mention?”
He added that the police, anticipating the massive crowd, had urged TVK leaders to let the actor address the gathering 500 meters earlier than the planned spot. “They insisted on reaching their preferred location. Instead of managing the crowd, they pushed it further forward. In our rallies, district secretaries organize the crowd before our leader arrives. Was any such orderly arrangement evident at their event?”
Regarding emergency provisions, he stated: “Two ambulances arrived from Namakkal with the TVK propaganda van. Five additional ambulances were arranged locally in Karur by the party itself. The government fulfilled its responsibilities; hospitals promptly admitted and treated the injured.”
On Allegations of Violence
Responding to assertions that knives were used and people were attacked with bottles, Senthilbalaji questioned, “If knives were indeed used, why were no injured individuals admitted to the hospital with such wounds? If bottles were employed, where is the tangible evidence? Today, anyone can disseminate information on social media. If such serious incidents occurred amidst that crowd, wouldn’t YouTube live streams or television broadcasts have captured it? Where is the verifiable proof? It is up to the concerned party to provide answers.”
Criticism of Fact-Finding Teams
Commenting on the NDA delegation’s visit, he remarked: “Fact-finding teams should have been sent to Manipur, or when the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede occurred, or when a bridge collapsed in Gujarat. No such teams were dispatched there. Yet, a team is hastily sent to Karur. Regardless, they are welcome to investigate and uncover the truth.”
“The government has acted entirely appropriately. The political party (TVK), however, has not,” he concluded.
He urged everyone sharing information on social media to present their evidence to the Commission of Inquiry and refrain from speculation or exaggeration.