Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay became emotional while distributing government job appointment letters to relatives of the Karur stampede victims. The incident killed 41 people during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally he led in September 2025.
Wearing black attire, the former actor struggled to hold back tears as he comforted the families at a public event. He called the tragedy an unhealed wound that still affects him deeply.
Footage showed Vijay embracing relatives who stood quietly as he passed the documents. He often looked down during the handover.
In his address, Vijay paused repeatedly while remembering those lost in the crowd crush at the election rally attended by thousands of supporters.
Friday was his first official trip to Karur since taking office in May. The visit included rehabilitation measures for affected families and the launch of a major industrial project. He had previously met relatives in Chennai.
Vijay criticised the prior administration and questioned crowd control by officials. He said he had trusted the police and thanked them after the event, but that trust was broken by lapses that caused the deaths. He also accused the DMK of seeking political advantage from the tragedy and claimed efforts were made to block his visit to Karur.
The appointments proceeded after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court refused to halt them. The court noted the jobs remain provisional pending the final ruling.
Alongside welfare and financial aid already provided, Vijay laid the foundation for a Rs 1,700-crore footwear factory in Karur district expected to create 13,500 jobs.
