CPI, CPI(M) oppose TVK government’s move to provide jobs to kin of Karur stampede victims

The two Communist parties — the CPI and the CPI(M) — which are extending outside support to the C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, have strongly opposed the latter’s decision to offer government jobs to family members of those killed in a stampede at a TVK party’s rally addressed by Mr. Vijay on September 27 last year.

“Providing government jobs to the families of those who died in a stampede at a political party meeting will set a bad precedent. History will record it as misuse of power, and it will create pressure on future governments to follow the same practice,” senior CPI leader and Tiruppur Lok Sabha MP K. Subbarayan said.

CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam said that with an inquiry into the stampede under way and the matter pending before the court, the decision to offer government jobs could weaken the legal process. “It will naturally raise the question of whether the TVK government is using its authority to provide government employment to the families of those who died at a TVK rally. The government may facilitate employment in private organisations, but offering government jobs is an entirely different matter,” he said in a social media post.

Need for policy

Mr. Shanmugam said the government should frame a comprehensive policy governing employment for family members of people who die under various circumstances. “Until such guidelines are evolved, the government should withdraw the announcement,” he said.

Mr. Subbarayan said the responsibility for compensating the victims’ families rests with the political party concerned, and that the TVK has the means to do so.

“The party cannot evade its responsibility by shifting the burden onto the government. The TVK should reflect on this,” he said.