Karur: The death toll from the tragic stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur has risen to 40, with more than 80 others reported injured. Authorities confirmed that the crowd-crush occurred on September 27 when thousands of supporters gathered at Veluswamypuram to see the actor-turned-politician.
Officials have launched a judicial inquiry led by a retired judge to determine accountability, as preliminary investigations suggest multiple lapses in planning and crowd management. Police reports indicate that permission had been granted for around 10,000 attendees, but more than 27,000 people turned up for the roadshow. The situation worsened after Vijay’s delayed arrival, which left fans waiting for hours in heat and without adequate amenities, leading to surges toward the stage.
Many victims were women and children, with some families losing multiple members. Survivors described suffocating conditions, poor access to drinking water, and inadequate security presence. Emergency services also struggled to reach victims due to overcrowding and bottlenecks near the main venue.
Police have filed a case against senior TVK leaders, including Bussy Anand, Nirmal Kumar, and V.P. Mathiyalagan, for negligence in organizing the event. The case will examine violations of safety norms, crowd control measures, and possible overstepping of permitted limits.
Vijay expressed grief over the tragedy, announcing financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh to the families of the deceased and additional aid for the injured. The Tamil Nadu government has also announced compensation packages, while Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has pledged to ensure accountability.
The commission of inquiry will investigate whether administrative lapses by local authorities also contributed to the tragedy. Meanwhile, questions are being raised about safety standards at political events and whether stricter enforcement of crowd-control norms is needed to prevent future disasters.
As the probe continues, public anger and grief remain high, with the tragedy casting a shadow over Vijay’s political journey and triggering debate on how fan-driven politics in Tamil Nadu can be balanced with public safety.