DMK ally Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan on 6 October 2025 visited the site of the stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, meeting families of the victims. Forty-one people were killed and over 50 injured in the September 27 incident, marking one of the worst political tragedies in recent Indian history.
Speaking to the press, Haasan emphasized the need for humanity over politics. Haasan reserved particular praise for the Chief Minister’s response to the crisis. “A dignified politician should show all the qualities of leadership and how to conduct things. That has been shown, and we are proud of it,” he said.
Regarding accusations of a security lapse, he said: “This would have become a bigger tragedy had permission been granted for some other place. We were able to stop it here itself. I am happy about that. Had there been a security lapse and they all fell into the river, what situation would it have been? All opposition parties say this is due to security lapse; they accuse that way. I am a centrist and a Tamil Nadu citizen, what happened is clear to everyone.”
Specifically praising former DMK Minister for Electricity, Prohibition & Excise and Aravakurichi MLA Senthil Balaji who was arrested dramatically in June 2023 in connection with a money laundering case for which he is out on bail, DMK stooge Kamal Haasan said, “We have to thank Balaji. Rather than asking why he came, it’s more important to be happy that he came (to the site of tragedy). This is his area, his house, his town, his people, who else will come looking here if not for him? Don’t ask questions like that. It doesn’t depend on the party.”
He added, “For now, I would like to thank Balaji for arriving on time and saving lives.”
He also said, “We must ensure this doesn’t repeat and we were discussing this even in the car on our way about what we can do to prevent this from happening again.”
When asked about who should take responsibility, he said, “We all should. Why point to others for blaming responsibility, we must take responsibility. He is responsible (pointing to Senthil Balaji). He has done his duty to the best of his ability. Don’t thank him for that, don’t interrupt him, let him do what he does.”
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