Karur stampede: Will Vijay discipline his cadres, and DMK government learn lessons?

While Vijay has not attempted to convert his fans into disciplined cadres and, instead, has remained silent, indirectly condoning their actions; the DMK administration cannot absolve itself of responsibility

Chennai: Every time Vijay addresses a public rally, his party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), issues a set of guidelines to its cadres and supporters not to climb trees, compound walls, electricity lamp posts, or transformers, and to avoid following the actor-politician’s vehicle before and after the event. TVK is probably the only political party in Tamil Nadu compelled by its own cadres to issue such instructions ahead of Vijay’s public programmes.

However, so far, Vijay’s supporters have consistently ignored both party and police guidelines. Fans, dangerously trailing the actor’s specially designed bus on two-wheelers, with pillion riders waving enormous maroon-yellow TVK flags, have become a common sight at Vijay’s rallies. 

The fans have also normalised following their leader’s vehicle from one campaign point to another, leading to severe traffic snarls and causing inconvenience to the public. Despite several such incidents, Vijay, who commands a vast and fervent support base, including women, has never advised his fans and cadres to behave responsibly in public. 

In fact, he appears to relish the unruly behaviour of his supporters, frequently asking in his rallies why unreasonable restrictions are imposed only on the TVK.

Political analysts believe that, in his first year as a politician, Vijay has not attempted to convert his fans into disciplined cadres; instead, he has remained silent, indirectly condoning their actions.

He has not groomed a second-rung leadership and seems to believe that his “cult” status among supporters would help him achieve success in politics; none of his aides have political experience or knowledge about crowd management. Even on Saturday, Vijay delayed his arrival in Karur by four hours and switched off the spotlight inside the bus, which apparently prompted people to move towards the vehicle, resulting in a catastrophe.

The cadres’ lack of politicisation and continued behaviour as fans was evident when TVK leaders were absent at Karur Government Medical College Hospital, where the bodies of the stampede victims were kept. Except for two posts on his X handle, Vijay has been absent from the scene, and none from his party have so far visited the families of the victims.

Eyewitness accounts from Velusamypuram indicate that a stampede that killed 41 people may have been caused by a tree branch collapsing under the weight of about 10 to 15 fans sitting on it.

While it is true that TVK did not provide basic amenities like drinking water to the waiting crowd and that overall arrangements were poor, the DMK administration cannot absolve itself of responsibility. Questions have also been raised as to why the police did not cancel permission for Vijay’s campaign when his organisers failed to heed requests for his early arrival, especially after the massive surge at the previous stop, Namakkal.

“Police should have asked Vijay’s TVK to host the event at an open area on the outskirts of Karur rather than permitting the rally within the city limits. They were well aware of the enormous crowds that Vijay’s rallies drew in Tiruchirapalli, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur,” senior journalist R Bhagwan Singh told DH. 

He also said that a thought probably ran through the deciding minds that giving a larger space to Vijay could lead to a big turnout and further boost his image. 

“In such a scenario, Vijay would have celebrated it, bringing a popular notion that he was emerging as the winning horse for the elections seven months from now, Singh said, adding, “Allotment of space or denial is indeed a political decision.” 

While the TVK was responsible for making proper arrangements, many believe that the police should have foreseen things, going by his past rallies and been prepared for the worst. We have all seen how Vijay’s supporters caused damage to property at Tiruchirapalli Airport on September 13. 

“Vijay has to come out of his lights-action-cut filmi style. Politics is about people out there, not just those who turn up at theatres,” he concluded.