Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay issued compassionate appointment orders to families who lost their loved ones in the Karur stampede in which he described the incident as an “unhealed wound” that still weighs heavily on his heart. It also marks the start of rehabilitation work to address long-term financial security for families injured in one of Tamil Nadu’s deadliest public tragedies in recent years.
The stampede happened on 27 September last year on the eve of Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign rally in Karur. It took 41 lives and left several others injured which caused public outrage and calls for accountability. A CBI investigation is underway.
Compassionate Appointments for Bereaved Families.
At a function at Atlas Arena in Karur, Chief Minister Vijay handed over compassionate appointment orders to eligible members from 32 affected families. The appointments were made based on the educational qualifications and eligibility of the beneficiaries.
After the stampede, the Tamil Nadu government had announced ex gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each bereaved family. The TVK also extended Rs 20 lakh to families of the dead as financial help to families of those who lost their lives.
The new appointments are all part of the government’s commitment to support the affected families beyond a short-term financial compensation package, by providing stable employment opportunities.
The Pain Has Never Left Me.
To the gathered party, a tearful and sad Chief Minister Vijay said the Karur tragedy was one of the most painful moments of his public life.
"My heartfelt greetings to all my brothers and sisters of Karur who live in my heart. The wounds and pain in the heart can never be forgotten, no matter how high a person rises in life, after overcoming many hardships and emotional scars," he said.
Vijay said the loss of lives had deeply impacted him.
"The Karur tragedy caused me immense mental anguish. I lost my brothers, my sisters, and my innocent children in Karur. The incident remains an unhealed wound in my heart," he said.
The Chief Minister also referred to criticism directed at him after the tragedy.
He said, “They placed the blame on me for the Karur incident, but I entered politics for the sake of the people, and I am determined to bring a permanent end to such tragedies."
High Court Review Appointment.
The distribution of appointment orders was during the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court hearing, where the government's decision to give permanent government jobs to the victims' families was raised.
During the proceedings, the court ruled that the beneficiaries may take temporary appointments until the matter is settled further.
The legal challenge has brought even more attention to a rehabilitation package announced by the state government, but the administration has maintained that it is for families who have lost their breadwinners.
Political Remarks During the Event.
Besides the tragedy, Vijay also used the occasion to target the Opposition.
He said that Opposition members walked out of the Legislative Assembly whenever discussions on "party fund" were raised. The Chief Minister also claimed that corruption in the form of crores of rupees had existed in several government departments in the past too.
As Vijay says, his administration has significantly reduced bribery and corruption in government offices and people have begun to regain confidence in public institutions.
Reaffirms Election Promises
The Chief Minister also added that he is committed to fulfilling his government’s election campaign promises that have been made.
Among other things, Vijay also said that the government would honour the promise of presenting a gold ring to newborns on the birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai (Arignar Anna).
He said the government is still committed to delivering on every major welfare promise made to the people.
The event concluded with appointment letters to the beneficiaries and thus was a step taken by the government to provide sustained support to the families affected by the Karur stampede. The CBI investigations of the tragedy are ongoing but the rehabilitation measures are being taken to assist the affected families after a tragedy which has had a long-term impact on Tamil Nadu's political and social landscape.
