‘A Wound That Does Not Heal’: Vijay Remembers 41 Karur Stampede Victims a Year On

A year after 41 people lost their lives in a stampede at his political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay described the tragedy as “a wound that does not heal, a pain that does not fade”.

In a tribute posted on X on Sunday, Vijay remembered the victims and expressed solidarity with their families, saying the grief remained deeply felt across Karur, Tamil Nadu and his party.

The stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a rally addressed by the actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief. Several others were injured.

‘Comfort, Support and Refuge’

Recalling the date, Vijay said the tragedy had left a lasting wound in his life and in the lives of those affected.

He urged those mourning the victims to support one another.

“To us, grieving the loss of the relations we carried in our hearts, we ourselves will be comfort, support, and refuge. Our heartfelt tribute to all the relations who live on in memory,” he wrote.

The anniversary comes as the government’s decision to offer employment to eligible members of the victims’ families remains the subject of a legal challenge.

Supreme Court Stayed Ruling Against Jobs

In August, the Supreme Court stayed a Madras High Court judgment that had struck down the Tamil Nadu government’s orders providing jobs to the victims’ relatives. It also issued notice on the State’s challenge.

A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran questioned the basis for preventing the government from extending employment as an additional relief measure.

The bench noted that the State had already decided to compensate families affected by the tragedy. It questioned why the government should be restrained from also offering a job to a family member, particularly where the deceased may have been the household’s sole earner.

The stay put the High Court ruling on hold while the challenge remained pending.

Why the High Court Objected

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had quashed the appointment orders on July 27, citing the constitutional guarantees under Articles 14 and 16.

It considered whether the government could create an exceptional category of public employment for the victims’ families when others were already waiting for compassionate appointments in government departments.

The High Court held that executive decisions, including government policy, remained subject to constitutional limitations.

The TVK-led government had treated the appointments as part of its relief and rehabilitation measures for the bereaved families.

Appointment Orders Given to 32 Heirs

On July 10, Vijay visited Karur and distributed compassionate government job appointment orders to 32 legal heirs of those killed.

That day, the High Court had allowed the government to proceed temporarily with the appointments, subject to the outcome of the legal challenge.

As the dispute continues, Vijay’s anniversary message returned to the loss behind those proceedings: 41 lives, grieving families and a tragedy he described as an enduring source of pain.

With inputs from ANI