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A stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s campaign rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, killed 36 people and injured about 40. Officials launch probe into crowd control failures.
Stampede at Vijay’s Political Rally in Tamil Nadu Claims 36 Lives, Dozens Injured
On 27 September 2025, a tragic stampede broke out during a political rally held by the actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, resulting in 36 deaths and around 40 injuries, according to state authorities. The incident has prompted high-level condemnation, questions about planning and crowd control, and calls for a thorough investigation.
The Rally, the Surge, and the Chaos
The rally was organised by Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), as part of its campaigning efforts ahead of the upcoming state elections. Tens of thousands of supporters gathered at Veluswamypuram along the Karur–Erode highway to hear him speak.
Witnesses and officials say that Vijay’s vehicle arrived hours behind schedule in the sweltering heat, causing mounting restlessness among the crowd. As he began his address, groups of people surged forward toward the barricades and the campaign bus in an attempt to get closer to him.
Reports indicate that several people fainted — likely from heat, exhaustion or crowd pressure — triggering panic that cascaded through the dense crowd. Some of those who fainted were trampled or crushed before first responders and rally staff could intervene. Videos from the event show Vijay pausing mid-speech, tossing bottles of water into the crowd, and urging security to make way for ambulances.
By the time medical teams and police reinforcements arrived, many victims had already succumbed to injuries. The state health minister confirmed that the deceased included eight children.
Casualties, Official Response, and Investigation
According to Tamil Nadu’s Health Minister Ma Subramanian, the injured were rushed to hospitals and were reported in “stable” condition when the information was released. State Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also expressed sorrow and directed that all necessary medical help be provided immediately.
At the national level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued condolences, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and offering thoughts to the grieving families.
In the wake of the tragedy, authorities ordered a formal investigation into the rally’s security arrangements and crowd control measures.Questions are already being raised about how such a large gathering was permitted without adequate safeguards, buffer zones, exit pathways, or contingency procedures for crowd surges.
Some police sources have hinted that the rally’s permitted capacity was exceeded — reportedly people power accompanied Vijay en route, swelling the attendance far beyond expectations.
This catastrophe underscores the perennial challenge of managing crowd safety during mass political events, especially those featuring popular film personalities whose fandom often transcends ordinary political rallies. In Tamil Nadu, film stars have historically commanded enormous public adulation, and the transition of such actors into politics brings heightened risks of uncontrolled crowds.
For Vijay and TVK, this incident is a severe blow: they now face scrutiny not just for political messaging but for operational accountability. The party must answer whether it deployed adequate security, medical support, and crowd management staff, and whether risk assessments were properly conducted.
For the state administration and election authorities, stricter regulation of rally permits, tighter enforcement of crowd limits, mandatory safety audits, and real-time monitoring mechanisms will become urgent imperatives.
In the immediate future, key tasks include:
- Completion of the investigation and determination of responsibility
- Compensation and support to victims’ families and the injured
- Reviewing protocols for mass gatherings in Tamil Nadu and statewide
- Training and deploying disaster management teams for political events
As relief and forensic teams continue their work in Karur, the plaintive grief of bereaved families and the wounded voices of survivors serve as a tragic reminder: popularity and power carry a burden of responsibility, and no rally can justify neglecting basic human safety.
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