On September 27, a devastating stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, claimed 40 lives, including 17 women and nine children, with nearly 100 injured. The tragedy, one of the deadliest in Tamil Nadu’s history, occurred during Vijay’s “Velicham Veliyeru” campaign at Velusamypuram, prompting widespread outrage, a Madras High Court petition for a CBI probe, and calls for stricter public safety protocols.
Incident Details
- What Happened: The stampede erupted around 7:30 PM on September 27 at Velusamypuram, Karur, 400 km from Chennai, as Vijay addressed a crowd of approximately 27,000–30,000 supporters from atop a campaign bus. Organizers had anticipated 10,000 attendees, but the turnout overwhelmed the venue, which lacked adequate food, water, and crowd control measures. The chaos began when supporters surged forward, with some fainting due to heat and overcrowding. Videos showed people climbing trees for a better view, with falling branches triggering panic and a deadly crush. Vijay halted his speech, threw water bottles to fainting attendees, and urged supporters to make way for ambulances, but the situation spiraled out of control.
- Casualties: The death toll rose to 40 by September 28, with victims including a two-year-old toddler, Dhuru Vishnu, and many in their 20s and 30s. At least 67 people are under treatment, with 51 in intensive care, per Tamil Nadu Health Secretary P. Senthil Kumar.
Vijay’s Response and Compensation
TVK chief Vijay, visibly shaken, expressed profound grief in an X post on September 28, stating, “My heart is shattered; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur.” He announced ₹20 lakh for each deceased victim’s family and ₹2 lakh for the injured, acknowledging, “It is not a huge amount for the loss you have suffered. It is an irreparable loss.” Vijay pledged TVK’s support for those under treatment and left Karur for Chennai via Tiruchirappalli airport, avoiding media.
Government and Political Reactions
- Tamil Nadu Government: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who visited Karur on September 28, expressed shock and announced ₹10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for each victim’s family and ₹1 lakh for the injured. He appointed retired Madras High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to lead a one-member commission to probe the incident. Stalin emphasized, “Such a tragedy should never happen again,” and directed ministers and collectors from Tiruchi, Salem, and Dindigul to coordinate relief efforts.
- Central Government: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “deeply saddening,” announcing ₹2 lakh from the PM’s National Relief Fund for each deceased victim’s kin and ₹50,000 for the injured. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy paid homage, urging political parties to adopt precautionary measures to prevent such tragedies.
- Opposition: AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami blamed the state administration for inadequate security, noting, “The police should have provided adequate security, but I don’t think that was done.” DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai accused TVK of deliberately delaying Vijay’s arrival to amplify crowd turnout, calling the visuals of grieving parents “disturbing.” Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized Vijay for poor crowd management, stating, “When such a large crowd had gathered, Vijay should have been on time.”
Legal Actions and CBI Probe Demand
- FIR Against TVK Leaders: Karur Town Police filed a case against four TVK functionaries, including general secretary N. Anand (Bussy Anand), joint general secretary C.T. Nirmal Kumar, and Karur district secretary Muthiyazhagan, charging them with attempted murder and public property damage. No FIR has been filed against Vijay himself, despite some reports suggesting otherwise.
- Madras High Court Plea: On September 28, TVK moved the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, alleging a “political conspiracy” behind the stampede and seeking a CBI or court-monitored probe. The petition, filed by C.T. Nirmal Kumar, claimed the tragedy was not accidental, citing stone-pelting and a police lathi-charge. The court agreed to hear an urgent plea at 4:30 PM on September 28 to restrain TVK from holding further rallies until the inquiry concludes. Earlier, the court had cautioned Vijay about crowd control after his chaotic Tiruchi rally on September 13, questioning, “If something untoward had happened, who would take responsibility?”
Causes and Criticisms
- Crowd Mismanagement: Tamil Nadu DGP G. Venkataraman attributed the tragedy to Vijay’s delayed arrival (7:40 PM instead of noon) and inadequate provisions. The crowd, waiting since 7 AM, faced heat and dehydration, with only 500 police personnel deployed for an unexpectedly large turnout. The venue’s single entry-exit point and weak barricades became chokeholds.
- Prior Warnings Ignored: The Madras High Court had previously flagged safety concerns during TVK’s Tiruchi rally, where a six-hour traffic jam occurred due to uncontrolled crowds. Despite 23 police-imposed conditions, including bans on convoys and advisories against bringing children, these were flouted, with families, including infants, present in Karur.
- TVK’s Defense: TVK spokesperson Bussy Anand claimed the party followed police instructions, attributing the turnout to Vijay’s popularity. However, critics argue the delay was strategic to showcase mass support, a claim TVK denies.
Broader Implications
The Karur stampede, Tamil Nadu’s deadliest in decades, has intensified scrutiny on celebrity-driven politics and public safety. Vijay, a Tamil cinema icon known as ‘Thalapathy,’ launched TVK in 2024, gaining a 10% vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The tragedy threatens his political momentum ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where TVK aims to challenge the DMK and AIADMK. The incident also echoes prior crowd management failures, like the 2023 Bengaluru RCB victory event stampede, highlighting systemic gaps in rally planning.
