The decision by TVK leadership follows the chaotic rally on September 27 that drew nearly 30,000 attendees and ended in disaster, with many victims among women and children. In the immediate aftermath, Vijay publicly expressed profound grief, describing his emotional state as shattered and saying he was writhing in pain. He offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of those still hospitalised, signalling the depth of his personal anguish over the loss of life linked to the event.
Within days of the calamity, law enforcement action began. Senior TVK functionaries Mathiyazhagan and C Pounraj were arrested on allegations of lapses in crowd control; they were later released by court order. Additional cases were filed against other party leaders, including General Secretary Bussy Anand and Joint General Secretary Nirmal Sekar, tied to their roles in organising the events that preceded the stampede. The legal scrutiny has intensified political and public attention on the party’s handling of the rally.
The FIR lodged by the police names Vijay himself and alleges several lapses that may have contributed to the tragic outcome. Investigators claim Vijay delayed his appearance at the rally by nearly four hours, a delay that allegedly inflamed crowd restlessness and precipitated surges. The complaint also contends that a roadshow was conducted without necessary permissions and in breach of conditions stipulated by authorities, and that repeated warnings from law enforcement to senior TVK leaders were ignored.
Police statements in the FIR further accuse Vijay of creating unrealistic expectations among his supporters, which, when unmet due to the delayed schedule and alleged organisational failures, exacerbated tensions among the dense crowd. These allegations form the core of the legal inquiry and have become central to public debate on accountability for the disaster. The sequence of events outlined in the FIR is under investigation as authorities probe the chain of decisions and actions that led to the fatalities.
Vijay has denied any culpability, asserting that neither he nor his team engaged in wrongdoing. In a direct appeal to the Chief Minister, he urged that if the government sought retribution, it should be directed at him personally rather than at other party members, stating he would accept any action taken against him and asking that his colleagues be spared. His stance signals a willingness to shoulder responsibility publicly while contesting the allegations behind the formal complaints.
