Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu): BJP MP Hema Malini, leading an 8-member NDA delegation on Tuesday, said that the panel of MPs would look into the circumstances that led to the stampede by visiting Karur.
Anurag Thakur, MP, said they would meet the local people, officials, and get information on what happened on September 27 that led to the stampede, and give a report to BJP national president JP Nadda.
Hema Malini and others, expressing their condolences, told reporters at the airport here, before proceeding to Karur, that the panel would be visiting the families that have lost their dear ones in the stampede.
“BJP National President JP Nadda has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people who lost their lives in the stampede during the TVK party’s rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the party said in a statement.
At least 41 people died, and many others were injured after a stampede broke out during a political rally of TVK chief Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur on Saturday evening. The victims included women and children, while those who fainted during the commotion were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.
“The national president has constituted the NDA delegation to visit Karur, Tamil Nadu and to look into the circumstances which led to this incident, meet with the affected families of this tragedy, and submit its report as early as possible,” it said.
Earlier, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met the families of stampede victims.
“Karur incident is shocking. The injured were taken to the hospital. The PM called me and L Murugan and advised us both to meet all the families who lost their loved ones in the stampede and inquire about the health of those admitted to the hospital. As per the PM’s advice, we came to Karur. The collector showed the stampede spot. We met some of the family members of those who lost their lives. I couldn’t even talk or console the family members,” Sitharaman said, adding that despite that, she conveyed the message of the PM to the family members and the injured.
“I will tell about my visit to the PM and Home Minister after my return. Through social media, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister expressed their condolences,” she said.
An FIR has been filed in connection with the Karur stampede. The case names top TVK leaders Mathiyazhagan (District Secretary), Bushi Anand (State General Secretary), and CTR Nirmal Kumar (State Joint Secretary) under multiple sections of the BNS Act and Tamil Nadu Public Property Act.
Vijay remained inside campaign vehicle, leading to overcrowding, restlessness, the FIR says.
According to the FIR, the rally violated 11 safety conditions, with the crowd swelling beyond the permitted 10,000 to over 25,000. Vijay’s delayed arrival and unauthorised roadshow aggravated the situation, leading to overcrowding and suffocation as people climbed trees and shelters that collapsed.
