Tamil superstar and TVK leader Vijay shattered into tears on Monday as he faced the grieving families of the 41 victims killed in the horrific stampede at his Karur rally last month. Meeting 37 bereaved families at a secluded Mamallapuram resort near Chennai, the actor-politician broke down repeatedly, clutching their hands and confessing, “I was in guilt. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t move forward until I met you.” He apologized for not visiting Karur immediately after the tragedy, explaining his absence was to prevent further chaos.

Each family—four to five members at a time—was ushered into Vijay’s private room after an emotional group session in a banquet hall. One widow told NDTV, “He cried with us, hugged my children, and promised he’d walk with us through life.” Another father revealed Vijay pledged ongoing financial and emotional support, saying, “I won’t leave you alone. Ever.” The star had already transferred ₹20 lakh to each family before Diwali as immediate relief.

The September 27 disaster unfolded when massive crowds surged at Vijay’s political debut rally, crushing 41 people to death and injuring 50 others. The Supreme Court has ordered a CBI probe, while Tamil Nadu police and the ruling DMK blame TVK’s delayed entry for the chaos—a charge the party slams as a “vicious conspiracy.” The Madras High Court has now mandated the state to draft strict SOPs for political events within ten days.

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Vijay’s statewide tour remains frozen since the tragedy, but Monday’s raw, tear-soaked meeting has reignited hope among TVK cadres. “He showed his heart today,” a party worker said. “This will bring us back stronger.” With assembly elections looming, AIADMK and BJP are circling TVK for alliances, but Vijay has firmly rejected any tie-up with the saffron party in the past.

As families left the resort clutching Vijay’s assurances, one mother whispered, “He didn’t just give money—he gave us his soul.” For a leader stepping from silver screen to political battlefield, this tearful reckoning may define his legacy.

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