Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay is expected to visit Karur on October 15 or 17 to meet and console the families of those who died in the recent stampede that claimed 41 lives during a TVK rally late last month.
Party sources said Vijay conveyed his decision to visit Karur soon after the party’s 16-day mourning period ends on October 13.
“Our leader is deeply moved by the tragedy and is determined to meet the families in person before Deepavali. We have applied for police permission for a visit on either October 15 or 17, and the final date will be confirmed once the police grant approval ,” a senior TVK functionary said.
The deadly incident occurred on September 27 during a TVK rally in the Velusamy Puram area of Karur, when overcrowding led to chaos and a massive stampede. Forty-one people, including women and children, were killed and more than 60 injured.
The tragedy triggered widespread criticism over inadequate crowd control and safety arrangements. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin later announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh for each victim’s family, while the district administration and police began an inquiry.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by North Zone IG Asra Garg is currently probing the lapses that led to the mishap.
Vijay’s Karur visit will be his first in-person meeting with affected citizens since beginning his political career earlier this year.
The actor, who launched Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in February 2025, had earlier issued a video message expressing his sorrow and interacted virtually with the victims’ families.
Party insiders said he is expected to meet the families at a wedding hall near Velusamy Puram and distribute financial assistance personally. TVK district leaders have petitioned the Karur Superintendent of Police for security arrangements, and an official announcement on the visit is likely once police clearance is received.