Karur Tragedy Prompts Campaign Postponement
Chennai, Oct 1, 2025 — In the wake of a devastating incident in Karur that claimed 41 lives, the Tamil Vetri Kalagam (TVK) on Wednesday announced a two-week postponement of its public campaign meetings. The party said the decision was taken to honor the bereaved families who are coping with the shock and loss. TVK did not specify the exact schedule for resumption, stating that full details would be released later.
According to TVK sources, police permission will enable the party to visit Karur next week to pay respects to the families of the deceased and to comfort the injured. The plan includes a quiet, dignified visit rather than a high-profile political rally, underscoring the party’s intent to keep politics from overshadowing a moment of communal grief.
While the party’s statement framed the move as a mark of solidarity, it also shifted the political spotlight onto how opponents may respond to a tragedy that has touched hundreds of lives in Tamil Nadu. The coming days are expected to reveal how campaigns will adjust to a period of mourning and heightened sensitivity.
Reactions and Controversy Erupt
Tirumavalavan’s Critique: Accusing TVK of Politicizing the Tragedy
Dalit Panthers of India (DIPI) president Tirumavalavan expressed strong anger at what he called the opportunistic use of the Karur tragedy. He asserted that TVK’s handling of the incident could be read as an attempt to shift blame and shape public perception, pointing to allegations that the party was trying to pin the tragedy on outside forces rather than accepting responsibility for lapses that may have contributed to the disaster. The DIPI leader credited the rapid actions by the Tamil Nadu government for saving many lives but warned against using the event as a political cudgel.
Tirumavalavan also criticized Vijay for comments in a released video that he believed targeted Chief Minister Stalin. He argued that such rhetoric demonstrated a lack of genuine sorrow and that it risked dragging innocent people into a heated political fray. The Dalit advocacy group urged vigilance against forces seeking to manipulate public emotion and warned against replicating national-level political plots at the local level.
BJP Responds: Parly Team Claims Vijay Echoes BJP Line
On the other side of the spectrum, a member of the BJP’s parliamentary outreach organization, Anurag Thakur, claimed that Vijay’s statements closely align with the BJP’s own messaging. The BJP-oriented group asserted that TVK’s public line reflects a broader national conversation propelled by the party’s leadership. Critics say this admission feeds the perception that TVK may be trading on a tragedy to gain political traction, while the BJP counters that the opposition is attempting to shield itself from accountability by pointing fingers elsewhere.
Manipur Truth Commission and Political Accountability
DMK’s Balaji Questions Why No Truth Commission for Manipur?
Senior DMK leader and former minister Senthil Balaji raised a pointed question: if truth commissions are to be set up, why wasn’t one established during other major massacres, such as the Manipur violence or the Gujarat bridge collapse? Balaji suggested that consistent application of truth investigations is essential and criticized what he sees as selective use of investigative tools. He urged all parties to refrain from turning tragedies into tools for political gain and to engage in earnest accountability rather than selective outrage.
What Lies Ahead for TVK and Tamil Nadu Politics
The Karur tragedy has already reshaped the political calculus in Tamil Nadu. TVK’s temporary pause buys policymakers time to absorb the emotional weight of the incident while ensuring that mourning families receive space and respect. The coming weeks will reveal how the party balances public outreach with sensitivity and whether the pause will translate into a strategic repositioning of their campaign narrative. With rivals accusing each other of leveraging the tragedy for advantage, Tamil Nadu voters will likely demand clear, accountable leadership that rises above partisan posturing.
Updated Date: Oct 02, 2025 | 03:43 AM
