A political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, for actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), ended in a devastating tragedy on Saturday when a stampede claimed the lives of 39 people. The confirmed victims include a shocking demographic: 17 women and 9 children, according to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. At least 60 other people were hospitalized, with many in intensive care.
The incident has triggered a political firestorm and brought to the forefront the critical issue of public safety at mass gatherings, especially after recent warnings from the Madras High Court regarding Vijay’s rallies.
Fatal Combination of Lapses Led to Chaos
The deadly stampede was attributed to a chain of severe crowd management and logistical failures:
- Gross Overcrowding: While police permission for the Karur venue was reportedly granted for a gathering of only 10,000 people, the actual turnout swelled uncontrollably, with police estimates placing the figure between 30,000 and 35,000, and some reports suggesting as high as 60,000. This massive excess attendance completely overwhelmed the site’s capacity.
- Protracted Delay: Compounding the problem was a significant delay in the arrival of the TVK chief. Vijay reached the venue at least six hours later than the advertised time. The prolonged wait in the densely packed crowd caused intense fatigue and suffocation, especially among the children and the elderly.
- The Deadly Surge: When Vijay finally began his speech, the restless crowd surged toward the stage, overpowering insufficient barricades and turning the already congested area into a fatal crush. Several attendees, including children, fainted and were tragically trampled in the ensuing panic.
The actor-politician was seen halting his address to distribute water bottles and personally arranging for ambulances for those who collapsed, as emergency vehicles struggled to reach the victims through the dense crowd.
Political and Judicial Fallout
The tragedy has immediately raised questions of accountability for both the organisers and the government authorities responsible for granting permission and ensuring law and order.
- Judicial Probe Ordered: Following the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who is expected to reach the area early Sunday morning, ordered an immediate judicial inquiry. A one-member commission, headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan—who previously probed the 2018 Thoothukudi firing—has been appointed to investigate the circumstances of the tragedy.
- Compensation Announced: CM Stalin announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for those undergoing intensive treatment.
- Criminal Case Filed: Karur Town police have registered a case against the TVK’s Karur West district secretary, V.P. Mathiyazhagan, for alleged violation of norms and negligence in the organisation of the event.
- Central and State Condolences: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy all expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. The Union Home Ministry has also sought a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu government.
Madras High Court’s Unheeded Warnings
Critically, the tragedy occurred despite recent, pointed warnings from the Madras High Court regarding public safety at TVK rallies. The court had previously questioned why the police were imposing tough conditions on TVK rallies, which Vijay himself had publicly criticised, asking: “If something untoward had happened, who would take responsibility? As party president, Vijay ought to control the crowds.”
The High Court had specifically ordered the Tamil Nadu government to:
- Frame Uniform Safety Rules: Apply consistent crowd control and safety guidelines for all political parties.
- Mandate Security Deposits: Collect advance deposits from rally organisers to compensate for any damage to public property.
- Ensure Accountability: Stress that party leaders must take personal responsibility for the safety of attendees, especially women, the elderly, and children—a warning tragically validated by the demographics of the Karur victims.
The police had cited the recurring massive turnout and safety concerns when imposing restrictions, noting that despite all conditions, supporters had often defied instructions, leading to chaos, as was the case in Karur, where the police’s permitted capacity was heavily exceeded. The ongoing probe will scrutinise whether the TVK party and the district police adequately implemented safety protocols following these judicial warnings.