‘We want to know what went wrong’: Hema Malini-led NDA delegation in Karur
An eight-member team from India’s ruling NDA alliance arrived in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday to dig into the tragic stampede that killed 41 people at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur. Led by Bollywood star and BJP MP Hema Malini, the group includes former Union Minister Anurag Thakur and lawmakers from various parts of the country. Their mission? To uncover what caused the chaos on September 27, chat with victims’ families, survivors, and local officials, and suggest ways to stop such Karur stampede disasters from happening again.
The heartbreaking incident unfolded when thousands of fans rushed forward after Vijay, the TVK chief, wrapped up his speech at an overcrowded venue in Velayuthampalayam. Panic set in, leading to a deadly crush that claimed the lives of women and children among the 41 dead, while over 60 others suffered injuries. Heart-wrenching images of grieving families spread quickly, leaving Tamil Nadu and the nation in shock.
At Coimbatore airport, Hema Malini shared her sorrow with reporters. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected,” she said. “We’re here to figure out exactly what went wrong and push for better safety at rallies and public events.” Anurag Thakur echoed that, adding, “We’ll talk to the injured, the families who lost loved ones, and authorities on the ground. We pray for quick recoveries, and there’s no rush—we want real answers to make sure nothing like this Karur tragedy repeats.”
Tamil Nadu BJP leaders, including ex-state chief K. Annamalai and current head Nainar Nagenthran, are guiding the NDA delegation through their fact-finding trip. Annamalai posted on X about the team’s work: “This eight-member committee, set up by BJP national president J.P. Nadda, did a thorough on-site review of the stampede at the TVK rally. We spoke with eyewitnesses to piece together what happened.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called the event an “unimaginable tragedy” that hit hard. His government jumped in with relief efforts and compensation packages right away. Stalin vowed to follow the recommendations from a special probe by retired judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, aiming to roll out stricter safety rules for big gatherings across the state.
Opposition AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami offered condolences but slammed the lapse, saying, “It’s unbelievable that this could happen at a political rally. The government needs to hold people accountable and prioritize crowd safety.” Vijay himself was devastated, announcing Rs 20 lakh in aid for each affected family. “I’m heartbroken,” he said, promising full cooperation with the investigation into the rally stampede.
Before heading back to report to BJP’s top brass, the NDA team plans to visit the stampede site in Velayuthampalayam and hospitals treating the injured. Their findings could spark big changes in how India handles massive public events, ensuring fans and families stay safe in the future.
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