Chief Minister Vijay Distributes Jobs and Blames Police in Karur

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay visited Karur on July 10, 2026, marking his first official visit to the district since taking office. Wearing black attire as a symbolic tribute, Vijay distributed government job appointment orders to between 31 and 32 legal heirs of the 41 people killed in a September 27, 2025, stampede during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally. He also announced that the TVK would establish a memorial for the victims.

During an emotionally charged speech at Atlas Kalaiarangam, Vijay described the tragedy as a "deep scar" and a "wound in the heart." He faulted the police for failing to alert his party that the crowd had become unmanageable or using their authority to cancel the event. He further attacked the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) administration, calling the party a "vending machine" of corruption and an "evil force."

Beyond the appointments, Vijay laid the foundation stone for a ₹1,700 crore non-leather footwear factory by Evervan Kothari Footwear Private Limited in Vanavasi Panchayat and distributed welfare benefits at the Thanthoni Malai District Collectorate. Security was heavy, with over 6,000 police personnel deployed and QR-code entry used for party events.

Opposition DMK leaders condemned the visit, with some alleging it was motivated by an upcoming bypoll. The DMK had previously petitioned a Supreme Court-appointed Supervisory Committee to prevent Vijay from influencing witnesses in the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the stampede. However, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court refused to stay the distribution of the government jobs.