Allegations surfaced that some attendees were not the rightful family members, while others were estranged relatives.
Published Oct 28, 2025 | 7:45 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 28, 2025 | 7:45 PM
Vijay met the the families of Karur stampede victims. Credit: x.com/Devanayagam
Synopsis: TVK chief and actor Vijay met families of the victims of the Karur stampede in Mahabalipuram on Monday, assuring them of long-term support. The meeting, attended by at least one member from 33 of the 37 bereaved families, was not without controversy, however. Amid claims that some attendees were not immediate relatives, as well as allegations that ruling DMK members offered bribes to dissuade families from meeting Vijay, South First spoke to the attendees to understand what had really transpired.
Exactly a month after the crowd crush in Tamil Nadu’s Karur that claimed 41 lives, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor-politician Vijay met the victims’ families in a star hotel at Mahabalipuram, on the outskirts of Chennai on Monday, 27 October.
At least one member from 33 of the 37 bereaved families attended the meeting.
The event, however, was not without controversy. Allegations surfaced that some attendees were not the rightful family members, while others were estranged relatives.
One such case involved Sangavi, the wife of Ramesh, one of the victims. She had refused to travel to Chennai, insisting that Vijay should visit Karur to meet the affected families.
In her absence, TVK reportedly brought another relative from Ramesh’s extended family to the meeting. Following this, Sangavi returned the ₹20 lakh compensation provided by the party, transferring it back via bank on Monday.
Meanwhile, some others alleged that members of the ruling DMK had offered them bribes of up to ₹30 lakh to not meet Vijay.
Amid the conflicting reports, South First was on the ground, speaking to attendees to get a clearer picture of what transpired at the Mahabalipuram meeting.
“Vijay appeared more broken than us. He hugged each of our family members and cried,” said Perumal, who lost his two daughters, Pazhaniammal and Dharanika, in the Karur tragedy, speaking to South First.
“People say he didn’t come [to Karur], but they ignore the fact that there were too many obstacles created for him. We are the ones who suffered. Without proper security, if he had come and another tragedy occurred, who would take responsibility? He acted wisely, and that’s the right thing.”
Ganesh, the father of 17-year-old victim Kishore, said Vijay was “moved to tears” while speaking to them.
“He said, ‘From now on, think of me as a member of your family,’” Ganesh recalled. “They have arranged insurance for all of us. He said his team would stay in touch and provide whatever help we need—education, employment, or even relocation if we wish to move to another district. Vijay promised to stand by us till the end, as one among our family.”
Several others who attended the meeting agreed that all families had been given insurance coverage and that Vijay had assured full support for any future needs.
They said the TVK chief spoke with empathy, especially to parents who had lost their children, reportedly telling them, “I cannot bring back the people you lost, but I will remain one of your own till the end.”
After Monday’s meeting, one of the attendees who lost direct family members in the Karur tragedy told South First that local DMK functionaries had approached them two days earlier, offering up to ₹30 lakh if they agreed not to meet Vijay.
When South First asked others about the claim, some families refused to comment, while others said no such offer was made to them.
“Maybe they spoke to someone, but no one approached me directly,” Perumal said.
South First subsequently reached out to DMK Thanthonni Union Secretary Raghunathan. He had earlier been accused by S Prabhakaran, brother of Gokulasree (also known as Soundarya), one of the Karur victims, of offering ₹20 lakh to withdraw a CBI probe petition from the Supreme Court.
Raghunathan, however, had denied the allegation, saying he did not know Prabhakaran and had never spoken to him. When asked about the new ₹30 lakh bribery claim, Raghunathan firmly rejected it.
“We have done nothing of that sort. We have no connection with any such offers. Why would we unnecessarily interfere in this matter? This is completely false, rumours spread by AIADMK members,” he told South First.
Former Cabinet Minister and DMK MLA for Karur, Senthil Balaji, was also asked for comment but has yet to respond.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
