Congress Disburses Rs1.02 Crore Aid to Families of 41 Karur Stampede Victims

Chennai: The Congress party on Tuesday provided substantial financial assistance totaling Rs 1.02 crore to the next of kin of the victims who tragically lost their lives in the recent stampede in Karur. The incident occurred during a program organized by actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), claiming the lives of at least 41 people, many of whom were women and children.

In a compassionate gesture demonstrating solidarity, the Indian National Congress formally distributed the financial assistance to the affected families. A total of Rs 1,02,50,000 (One Crore Two Lakh Fifty Thousand) was disbursed, with each of the 41 bereaved families receiving an aid package of Rs 2,50,000.

The financial aid was handed over by a delegation of senior party figures, including Congress general secretary Organisation KC Venugopal, accompanied by Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, state unit chief K. Selvaperunthagai, CLP Leader Rajesh Kumar, and Karur MP Jothimani.

The party statement emphasized that this initiative reflects the Congress’s unwavering commitment to stand by the people during times of immense pain and loss.

Earlier in the day, Venugopal conveyed the party’s profound sympathy, stating in a post on X that the tragedy in Karur was "beyond imagination" and that the whole of Tamil Nadu and India shared in the victims' pain. He elaborated on the purpose of the delegation's visit, noting that it was to send a clear message to the survivors: "You are not alone, the whole country is with you in this difficult time."

https://x.com/kcvenugopalmp/status/1972950759432999277

The catastrophic stampede took place on Saturday evening when the crowd at the heavily packed rally went out of control, causing widespread fainting and ultimately leading to the fatalities, forcing the actor-politician to prematurely conclude his speech. The Congress’s immediate and significant financial contribution underscores the party’s effort to support the victims’ families as they grapple with the devastating loss.

The Tamil Nadu Police has arrested two of the TVK leaders in connection with the stampede case. The police arrested arrest of two of his party members that includes TVK's Karur West District Secretary Mathiyazhagan and Karur town functionary Paun Raj on Monday night.

In addition to the TVK members, police also arrested a YouTuber and journalist in connection with the incident.

While no case has been filed against Vijay, the police registered an FIR against three key leaders of TVK: Mathiyazhagan, state general secretary Bussy Anand and deputy general secretary Nirmal Kumar.

Charges against the three include those under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 125 (endangering life of others), and 223 (disobedience to order), along with section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Preventing of Damage and Loss) Act 1992.