Parthiban, who was recently seen in Dhanush's Idli Kadai, has supported Ajith Kumar's latest statement on the deadly stampede incident that unfolded in Karur during Vijay's political rally in September. The actor-director is the latest to weigh in on the issue after a long list of celebrities expressed their grief on the incident that resulted in the death of 41 people, including many women and children.
Ajith had recently spoken about the Karur stampede in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India. Referring to Vijay, he said just one individual cannot be blamed for the tragedy. "That individual alone is not responsible, we are all responsible for it, and the media has a part to play in this," he noted. He went on to elaborate that society has collectively become “obsessed with gathering,” and that this needs to change. He further added that his statement should be taken in the right spirit. As an actor, like many others, he works hard, stays away from family, and endures injuries out of love for his fans, but he believes there must be a more meaningful way to express that admiration. He also noted that the culture of excessive hero worship often casts the entire film industry in a negative light.
Speaking at a recent event, Parthiban said, "We can understand it as: Vijay alone cannot take responsibility. It’s something we all must share. Without turning its deeper meaning into a political issue, we must understand that the 41 lives lost can never be brought back. Hence, it should be ensured such a tragedy never happens again."
He had also supported Vijay in his decision to bring the families of the deceased to Chennai instead of meeting them at Karur. He remarked that another visit to the district could have led to further complications. "We may all think, 'If it were me, I would have gone there.' But is that really practical? Would that not create further complications? Even if he wanted to go and express his condolences, he might have thought that a crowd would gather. It’s not about what’s right or wrong. What matters is that he did what he felt was right, and the families are content with that. That’s all that truly matters," he elaborated.
The stampede unfolded on September 27. In a video statement following the incident, the actor-politician explain himself and his party, expressing condolences, and also being firm about the involvement of political sabotage in the incident. Ahead of Diwali, Vijay had transferred Rs 20 lakh each as relief to each bereaved family. According to sources, 37 out of the 41 family members who lost their family members during his rally in the stampede had come to meet Vijay at the Mamallapuram resort where he reportedly apologised for the tragic event and not being able to visit the place immediately after the incident took place.
