Actor Sanjeev Venkat, known for his supporting role in films and Tamil TV serials, has backed Vijay amid the ongoing Karur stampede issue that caused the death of 41 people in the region including young women and children.
Sanjeev, who is a close friend of Vijay from their college days, took to his X handle and shared a few lines from 'Nee Singam Dhan' from Pathu Thala which roughly translates to 'To bring down your name, even if many elephants gather, you are a lion.' He also tagged Vijay and wrote, "Once a lion, always a lion."
Vijay and Sanjeev have acted in several movies together including Poove Unakkaga (1996), Minsara Kanna (1999), Friends (2001), Badri (2001), Pudhiya Geethai (2003), Sachin (2005), Thirupaachi (2005), Pokiri (2007) and Vettaikaaran (2009), among others.
On Tuesday, Vijay issued his first video statement on the tragic stampede that unfolded at his rally in Karur, explaining himself and his party, expressing condolences, and also being firm about the involvement of political sabotage in the incident. Expressing his sadness, he stated that he always chooses venues that could accommodate large crowds. "I am also human—how could I leave when so many people were suffering? I returned to Karur to prevent further accidents and casualties," he said, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and promising to meet all the victims and their families.
“CM sir, if you have any urge to take revenge or if there’s any issue, do whatever you want to me. Don’t lay a hand on them. I’ll be at home, or I’ll be at the office—do whatever you want to me," said Vijay, directly referring to CM MK Stalin.
Vijay, on Sunday, promised to provide a compensation of Rs 20 lakhs to the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh to the victims who are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu state government is set to provide Rs 10 lakhs as compensation for the loss, while the central government has promised Rs 2 lakhs per head.
Meanwhile, the BJP delegation consisting of eight members, headed by MP and veteran actor Hema Malini, visited Tamil Nadu on Tuesday to review the circumstances surrounding the Karur stampede. "Even the local people told us what all they witnessed. They told us what time Vijay came, they told us how so many young people came, ladies, children came. It is wrong that they gave this small area. Vijay came in a big bus. It seems something fishy here," she said, probing the cause of the issue. "Our question is who is responsible. Whoever the administration and who were the organisers who approved the site for speech," she added. The panel is expected to present their report to the BJP central leadership after a thorough probe.