A tragic stampede at a political rally for Tamil actor Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on September 27, 2025, has resulted in the deaths of at least 39 people and injuries to over 40 others. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and expressions of grief from political leaders across India, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who described the event as "tragic and painful".
According to reports, the stampede occurred due to overcrowding at the venue, which triggered panic among the attendees. Sources indicate that approximately 27,000 people gathered at a location with a capacity of only 10,000, leading to a violation of safety norms. Among the victims were at least 10 minors, including a two-year-old child, and many women. Heartbreaking images of a father desperately seeking help for his child and a mother refusing to let go of her deceased child have circulated on social media.
Shashi Tharoor has voiced serious concerns regarding crowd management protocols in India, stating that "something is wrong in our country with crowd management". He referenced a previous incident in Bengaluru where innocent lives were lost, emphasizing the need for a systematic policy at the national level to protect ordinary people. Tharoor called for stricter procedures governing large crowds in all circumstances, appealing to both the central and state governments to agree upon a set of standards and protocols.
In the wake of the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered a judicial probe into the stampede and announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh for the families of each victim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed his condolences and announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased. Actor Vijay, whose political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is preparing for its poll debut in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election, has announced ₹20 lakh in aid to the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for those undergoing treatment. In a statement posted on social media, Vijay expressed his heartbreak and grief, stating that he was "writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express".
The incident has raised questions about the safety arrangements and crowd control measures at political rallies and public events in India. Sources within the state government have alleged that safety norms were flouted at Vijay's rally, with claims that the actor arrived several hours late and that adequate arrangements for food and drinking water were not made. Two top leaders of TVK, including its general secretary, have been named in a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
