A tragic stampede at a rally held by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has resulted in a devastating loss of life. The incident occurred on Saturday evening, leaving at least 31 people dead, including children and women. Initial reports indicated a lower death toll, but the number has tragically climbed as more information becomes available. Over 70 people were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The chaos erupted due to overcrowding at the rally. Sources indicate that the crowd surged towards the barricades as Vijay was giving his speech. Some attendees fainted in the crush, triggering panic and further intensifying the stampede. While the organizers had sought permission for around 10,000 attendees, the actual turnout was estimated to be over 30,000. Furthermore, Vijay's arrival was delayed by six hours, causing the crowd to swell to uncontrollable levels.
Following the tragedy, Vijay was seen at Trichy airport before boarding a flight to Chennai. He initially made no comments to the media. However, after landing in Chennai, the actor-turned-politician broke his silence, expressing his profound grief. "My heart is shattered, writhing in pain," Vijay stated, describing the incident as an unbearable loss.
In the wake of the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the families of each victim. The state government has also constituted an inquiry commission headed by retired High Court Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the incident. Opposition leaders have criticized the state government, citing inadequate security and safety arrangements. The government has urged all parties to focus on relief efforts rather than engaging in political accusations.
The incident has drawn condolences from top leaders across the country. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have all expressed their grief and offered condolences to the bereaved families. Governor R.N. Ravi also conveyed his condolences and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also expressed his condolences.
The Karur stampede raises critical questions about crowd management and safety protocols at large public gatherings, particularly political rallies. The unexpectedly massive turnout at Vijay's rally, combined with the delayed arrival and inadequate safety measures, created a recipe for disaster. As investigations unfold, it is imperative that authorities address these shortcomings to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
