Ravikrishnan, 29, had attended the September 27 gathering in the hope of catching a glimpse of Vijay, unaware that it would be the last day of his life.
His family and loved ones are now mourning his untimely death.
“After completing his engineering studies, he started building his house. Just when he was starting to become independent, disaster struck. No one expected something like this. Everyone is sad,” a person close to Ravikrishnan told news agency PTI, adding that he had always been a good student and was known to help others in times of need.
Read more: Karur stampede: Madras High Court to hear TVK’s plea on October 3, death toll rises to 41 in Vijay rally tragedy
The relative further said that Ravikrishnan was the sole breadwinner of the family and appealed for government support.
“He was active socially. He went to Vijay because he was interested in cinema. He was the only child. His father too passed away recently. There is no one to support his mother and sister now. We are seeking a government job for the sister so that the family can support themselves,” he said.
Another relative described the news as incredible and said Ravikrishnan would be difficult to forget.
“It hurts to think about it. I can’t forget his smiling face. Just when he was about to take a step forward in life, just at the time of marriage, tragedy struck. He was a very nice person. He never upset anyone, never wished anyone harm,” the relative said.
Death toll from Karur stampede rises to 41
Ravikrishnan’s family is not the only one mourning the loss of loved ones. The grief of the bereaved was palpable as families shared their personal experiences during Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit.
#WATCH | Tamilnadu | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accompanied by Union Minister L Murugan and BJP leader Nainar Nagenthran, meets a family who lost a loved one in the stampede that occurred on September 27 at a public event of TVK (Tamilaga Vettri… pic.twitter.com/NuAIH8k7rS
-ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2025
FM Sitharaman also visited the medical college to take stock of the treatment provided to the injured.
#WATCH | Tamilnadu | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accompanied by Union Minister L Murugan and BJP leader Nainar Nagenthran, meets a family who lost a loved one in the stampede that occurred on September 27 at a public event of TVK (Tamilaga Vettri… pic.twitter.com/7Iq7INZ6vd
-ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2025
Families mourn their loss before the last rites
On Sunday, September 28, scenes of grief unfolded as grieving families – mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers – mourned their loved ones lost in the Karur stampede.
For many, the crushing reality of their loss seemed to set in only as they prepared for the final rites, each ritual marking the end of a life taken too soon.
#WATCH | Karur, Tamil Nadu | Relatives of those killed in yesterday’s stampede are mourning the loss of their loved ones as they prepare for the last rites.
39 people lost their lives in the stampede that took place during the political rally of TVK (Tamilaga… pic.twitter.com/I98ZbCKHl3
-ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2025
The bodies of the victims of the tragic stampede were handed over to their family members by hospital authorities.
Read more: Karur stampede: Vijay to give 20 lakh compensation to each family of 39 victims who died during TVK rally
Meanwhile, posters showing Vijay’s hands drenched in blood and condemning TVK were seen on the streets of Karur.
They were installed by the Tamil Nadu Students’ Association, according to ANI.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Posters condemning Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay, showing him with blood-stained hands, were put up in Karur by the Tamil Nadu Students’ Association.
40 people lost their lives in a stampede on September 27, during a… pic.twitter.com/70LvrLaPRG
-ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2025
