Don't celebrate Diwali in memory of Karur stampede victims: Vijay to his partymates

19-Oct-2025

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As buildings across the city lit up ahead of Diwali, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) headquarters in Chennai’s Panaiyur wore a desolate look. 

A pall of gloom has descended on the office as the actor-turned-politician and party’s General Secretary N Anand directed all cadres and district secretaries to refrain from celebrating Diwali this year in memory of the 41 people who died in the stampede.

The leadership's instruction follows the tragedy that claimed the lives of several women and children during a rally attended by nearly 30,000 supporters on September 27.

In his first reaction after the tragedy, Vijay expressed deep sorrow, saying his heart is “shattered” and that he is “writhing” in pain.