In his first public statement since the tragic Karur stampede that claimed multiple lives, Tamil superstar Vijay has broken his silence with strong allegations about "meaningless rumours" being deliberately spread to damage his reputation.
The incident occurred during a promotional event for the actor's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in Karur district, where overcrowding led to a deadly stampede that resulted in several fatalities and injuries.
Emotional Response to Tragedy
Vijay expressed profound grief over the unfortunate incident, stating: "I was deeply saddened to learn about the deaths of the party members who had come with so much love and enthusiasm." The actor-politician extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished speedy recovery for those injured.
Allegations of Malicious Rumour Campaign
In a significant revelation, Vijay claimed that certain elements had capitalized on the tragedy to tarnish his image. "I have learned that some meaningless rumours were spread about me in this situation," he stated, though he refrained from specifying the nature of these rumours or identifying the sources.
Call for Unity and Responsibility
The Mersal star emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and order during public gatherings, urging his supporters to exercise caution in future events. He assured that his party would take necessary measures to prevent such incidents from recurring and would provide appropriate assistance to the affected families.
Political Implications
This incident marks one of the first major challenges for Vijay's relatively new political venture, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The stampede and subsequent rumours have put the party's organizational capabilities under scrutiny, even as the actor attempts to navigate his transition from cinema to politics.
The statement comes at a crucial time when Vijay is gradually increasing his political activities across Tamil Nadu, with this incident serving as both a setback and a test of his crisis management abilities.
