Saturday's deadly stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, where at least 36 people were killed, comes days after the Madras High Court warned Vijay over crowd controlling at his events.
The high court, while hearing a TVK plea challenging restrictions by Tamil Nadu police, asked the party as to who will take responsibility in case of untoward incidents. The court was referring to TVK rally in Tiruchirappalli, where one person died recently. The court then observed that it is the responsibility of political leaders to ensure safety of people who come to their rallies.
The high court also pointed out that children, elderly and differently abled people should not be encouraged to attend such overcrowded rallies if their safety cannot be guaranteed.
The court ordered the Tamil Nadu government to frame uniform safety rules for political rallies of all parties. The police had reportedly given permission for 10,000 people at the rally. However, the actual turnout was more than 30,000.
At least 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, died in the stampede, according to Chief Minister MK Stalin. At least one child went missing. Around 58 others who attended the rally were still hospitalised.
People who fainted were rushed to hospitals immediately, following which Vijay continued his speech. However, he ended it soon after sensing the stampede-like situation in the crowded area.
DMK district secretary and former minister Senthil Balaji arrived at Karur government hospital immediately while minister Ma Subramanian and Anbil Mahesh reached the spot later.
Chief Minister MK Stalin will arrive in Karur on Sunday morning while Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin cancelled his Dubai trip following the stampede. AIADMK supremo Edappady Palaniswami is also expected to reach Karur during the night.
The CM has formed an enquiry commission headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the incident. She is known for probing the 2018 shooting that killed and injured people protesting against Sterlite in Thoothukudi.