Karur Stampede Aftermath: Stalin Accuses BJP of Exploiting Tragedy for Political Gain

A devastating stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which tragically claimed the lives of four women and injured many more, has ignited a fierce political storm. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has leveled serious accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the national party is attempting to capitalize on the human tragedy for its own political advantage.

The horrific incident occurred during a saree distribution event organized by a private individual on Sunday.

As thousands of women gathered, hoping to receive free sarees, the sheer press of the crowd led to a stampede, resulting in chaos and heartbreaking loss of life. The victims, identified as P Poongodi, V Sekku, M Thillaiammal, and R Gandhimathi, were among the most vulnerable.

Addressing the state assembly, CM Stalin expressed profound sorrow over the incident and announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

However, his address quickly shifted to a sharp critique of the BJP's perceived actions. Stalin lambasted the BJP for what he described as a calculated effort to politicize the unfortunate event, asserting that such attempts were both insensitive and unacceptable.

He pointed out that the event was a private affair, organized by a woman named M Muthulakshmi, to mark the birth anniversary of her late father-in-law.

Muthulakshmi is reportedly the mother-in-law of a BJP functionary, prompting Stalin to suggest that the BJP was trying to distance itself from the tragedy while simultaneously seeking to exploit the situation for political mileage, particularly given the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Stalin emphasized that the state government acted swiftly, providing immediate relief and ensuring comprehensive medical care for the injured.

He called for a united front in condemning such politicization, urging all parties to prioritize human welfare over narrow political gains. The Chief Minister's strong words underscore the deep divisions and high stakes in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, where even a tragic incident can become a battleground for accusations and counter-accusations.

The incident has also raised questions about crowd management and safety protocols at such large-scale distribution events.

While investigations are underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events and responsibility, the political fallout continues to dominate headlines, overshadowing the grief and suffering of the affected families. The state awaits further developments as the political rhetoric intensifies, with the BJP yet to issue a comprehensive response to Stalin's pointed allegations.