A political rally held by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, turned tragic on Saturday, resulting in a devastating stampede that claimed the lives of at least 39 people and injured 40 others. The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the state, prompting grief, investigations, and accusations.
The rally, organized by Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), drew tens of thousands of enthusiastic supporters. As Vijay addressed the crowd from his bus, some supporters fell while trying to get closer, triggering a deadly crush. According to local officials, the tragedy occurred around 7:10 pm on Saturday.
Among the deceased were women and children. Reports indicate that at least 10 of the victims were minors, including a two-year-old. Many of the victims were in their 20s and 30s. The injured were rushed to the nearest hospitals for treatment.
The Tamil Nadu government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the victims. Chief Minister MK Stalin has dispatched ministers to Karur to oversee relief and medical operations. An inquiry commission has been constituted to investigate the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling the incident "deeply saddening". He announced an aid of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the victims. Vijay also expressed his grief, stating, "My heart is shattered. I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express".
Eyewitness accounts and initial reports suggest that several factors contributed to the stampede. Vijay's delayed arrival at the venue, attributed to the chaos, with some reports stating he was scheduled to arrive at 4 pm but reached at 7 pm. Poor planning by TVK and inadequate security arrangements for such a large gathering were also cited as contributing factors. Residents noted that the chosen location in Veluswamy Nagar was unsuitable for a political rally of that scale.
The incident has sparked political reactions, with Udaynidhi Stalin, the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, criticizing Vijay for the Karur stampede. Stalin stated that the organizers, along with the police, bear responsibility for managing the crowd and that Vijay should have been on time. Kerala Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala called for a thorough investigation and adequate compensation for the victims' families.
This tragedy highlights the risks associated with large political gatherings and the critical need for effective crowd management and safety measures. Stampedes and crowd crushes are unfortunately common in India during large assemblies. In January 2025, at least 30 people died during a rush to bathe in the Ganges during the Maha Kumbh festival.
