Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visits the site of the TVK rally in Karur, where a stampede claimed 41 lives.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday (September 29, 2025) said the situation on the ground in Karur after the stampede at TVK president and actor Vijay’s rally, which claimed 41 lives, would be conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Accompanied by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, Ms. Sitharaman visited Velusamypuram, the site of the stampede, and held discussions with district officials and police personnel.The Ministers also interacted with residents who had witnessed the incident.Meeting survivorsThey later visited the Karur Government Medical College and Hospital and enquired about the condition of those undergoing treatment. Survivors told the Ministers that the sudden surge of an unexpectedly large crowd led to people climbing onto rooftops and temporary structures, which collapsed, causing injuries.Several people said they had struggled to breathe in the packed crowd and were unable to move to safety.Ms. Sitharaman and Mr. Murugan subsequently met the families of victims at Velusamypuram, Emoor Puthur, and Karuppayi Koil Street near the Mariamman Temple and offered their condolences.Also View: A visual timeline on how Karur stampede unfolded“When we heard their accounts, we had no words to respond. Many of the victims were daily wage workers and came from poor families. This tragedy should never be repeated, in Tamil Nadu or anywhere else in the country,” Ms. Sitharaman said.Addressing mediaSpeaking to mediapersons at the Karur Collectorate, Ms. Sitharaman said the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had asked her and Mr. Murugan to rush to Karur to visit the bereaved families and the injured.“The Prime Minister himself wanted to come, but due to unavoidable circumstances he could not, so he deputed us. We will report to him and the Home Minister on the ground realities,” she said.He further announced that the families of the deceased would receive ₹2 lakh each and the injured ₹50,000 each from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.“Bank account details have been sought, and the district administration has assured us that these will be sent tonight. We will ensure that the assistance reaches the families within two days,” she added.Stating that the Centre stood with the victims, Ms. Sitharaman said, “We have not come here to review or assign blame. Our purpose is to meet those who suffered and reassure them that the Prime Minister is with them.” Karur Collector M. Thangavel, Superintendent of Police K. Josh Thangiah, former BJP State president K. Annamalai, and MLA Vanathi Srinivasan accompanied the Ministers.
