TVK Chennai HQ reopens after 17 days, Karur tragedy looms

The headquarters of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) in Panaiyur, along East Coast Road (ECR), Chennai, reopened on Tuesday after remaining closed for 17 days following the tragic Karur stampede last month that claimed 41 lives. The reopening marks the party’s first major organisational activity since the incident.

The TVK office had been shut after the stampede on September 27 during a public outreach event in Karur, where TVK president and actor Vijay was campaigning. The tragedy led to widespread mourning and suspension of all party activities as a mark of respect for the victims.

Party sources said Vijay is currently at his Pattinapakkam residence, where senior leaders including Bussy Anand, Aadhav Arjun, CTR Nirmal Kumar, and Arun convened for internal discussions. Meanwhile, district secretaries and office-bearers assembled at the TVK headquarters for the party’s first coordinated meeting since the tragedy.

The reopening signals a gradual resumption of organisational activities, with party members and supporters arriving throughout the day, expressing solidarity, and discussing the future strategy of the party. The event holds symbolic importance for TVK as it seeks to reconnect with its cadre base after a period of silence and mourning.

In a related development, TVK’s counsel, Gauri Subramanyam, welcomed the Supreme Court’s order directing a CBI probe into the Karur stampede. She confirmed the party’s full cooperation, noting that the legal team had specifically requested an SIT led by a retired Supreme Court judge.

On Monday, the Supreme Court ordered the CBI probe and constituted a three-member committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi to monitor the investigation for fairness and impartiality.

The Karur stampede on September 27 resulted in 41 deaths and over 100 injuries. Among the deceased were 18 women, 15 men, five young girls, and five boys. Geographically, 34 victims were from Karur, while others were from Erode, Tiruppur, Dindigul, and Salem districts.

The reopening of TVK’s Chennai headquarters marks the party’s first organisational step following one of its deadliest tragedies.