Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 30 : Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Tuesday released an emotional statement, his first public reaction following the stampede in Karur that occurred during a party rally on September 27, which has claimed 41 lives.
"I have never faced such a painful situation in my life. My heart is aching, I am in deep pain," Vijay said in a self-made video posted on social media, adding that the truth about what transpired on the day of the stampede will come out soon.
"People come to see me in this campaign, the only reason behind it is love and affection. In my life, I have never experienced such pain. I will soon meet the victims," he said.
The stampede occurred at Vijay's rally last week. He said people's safety has been a top priority for him.
"Apart from all things, people's safety was the top priority I had always in my heart. Living aside all the political reasons, we always request permission for better, safe place to the police, considering the people's safety, but things which shouldn't have happened have happened," he said.
He said his party functionaries have been arrested by the police.
Addressing Chief Minister MK Stalin, he said, "Chief Minister sir, I request you please do not harm my party functionaries. I will be available at my house or in my office and you can take any action against me, but not against them".
He further clarified why he did not immediately visit the victims of the Karur stampede.
The TVK chief said he left Karur immediately after the stampede as he feared his presence might trigger an uncontrollable situation and hamper the safety of people.
He expressed condolences to the families of all those who lost their loved ones.
"I am also human, how can I leave the place after seeing all the suffering. But to avoid further complications, I left the place. I convey my deepest condolences to the families who are grieving due to the loss of their loved ones. I pray that those in the hospital receiving treatment will recover. I will meet you soon," he said.
"I convey thanks to the leaders and parties who understood our situation and spoke for us. People know all the truth," he added.
The TVK chief also said that they had completed the campaign in five districts, but "the stampede took place only in Karur. How did it happen?"
He said that when he heard the victims of the Karur narrated what transpired it felt like that "God himself came to earth and was telling the truth".
"When Karur people came to the streets and they were explaining what exactly happened, I felt the God himself came to earth and was telling the truth. Soon, every truth will come out," Vijay said.
He also said that his political campaign will continue.
Meanwhile, a local court in Karur in Tamil Nadu has sent two Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), functionaries to judicial custody till October 14 in connection with the stampede
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh today said that strict action would be taken against all those found responsible. "An inquiry commission headed by a retired judge has been formed. If lapses are found, strict action will be taken against those responsible," Mahesh told reporters.
An eight-member delegation of the NDA-BJP today arrived in Karur and visited those undergoing treatement in the hospital. The visit is part of the delegation's fact-finding mission following the incident on Saturday. Congress general secretary (Organisation) and MP KC Venugopal also visited the site and was briefed regarding the incident and the current situation in Karur.
TVK on Monday filed a writ petition in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, pleading for the transfer of the probe into the stampede from the State police to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
In the writ petition, the TVK alleged that Saturday's "incident was solely motivated by the DMK and its functionaries"
"A petition has been filed before the High Court of Madras, Madurai Bench, seeking a transfer of the case from the Town Police Station of Karur to the Central Investigation Team for a probe into the entire occurrence," Arivazhagan, the advocate for TVK, told reporters here.
"It was contended (in the petition) that the incident was solely motivated by the political party DMK and its functionaries. We have made various allegations, and we have enclosed several photos and other relevant documents. The matter will be taken up on Friday, October 3," he added.