Karur, Tamil Nadu: September 28, 2025 – The political campaign rally for Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was marred by an unprecedented disaster on Saturday evening. A devastating crowd surge in the Karur district resulted in a stampede that tragically claimed the lives of 39 people and left 51 others severely injured and receiving intensive treatment.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin confirmed the death toll, detailing the victims: 17 women, 13 men, 4 boys, and 5 girls. He also confirmed that 51 individuals, including 26 men and 25 women, are currently undergoing intensive medical care.
Inquiry Commission and Increased Compensation
In response to the tragedy, CM Stalin has taken swift action:
- Judicial Probe: A one-person Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, has been ordered to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the stampede. The Chief Minister stated that the truth would be revealed through the commission, and strict action would follow.
- Victim Compensation: The State government has announced an ex-gratia compensation of $₹$10 lakh each for the families of the deceased and $₹$1 lakh for those undergoing intensive treatment in hospitals.
Overwhelmed Crowd and Security Challenges
The sheer size of the crowd was a major contributing factor to the disaster. Tamil Nadu DGP in-charge, G. Venkatraman, revealed that organizers had sought a ground anticipating a crowd of just 10,000. However, the rally drew a turnout that was nearly triple that figure, with an estimated 27,000 people gathering.
Compounding the overcrowding issue, large numbers of supporters began assembling as early as 11 AM for the event, which was scheduled to run from 3 PM to 10 PM. The police official noted that by the time Vijay arrived at 7:40 PM, the crowd had been waiting for hours without adequate food and water, increasing fatigue and volatility.
Despite the deployment of over 500 police personnel, the unexpected and massive crowd surge proved unmanageable. The stampede erupted around 7:30 PM, shortly after Vijay began addressing the rally. As people rushed forward, panic spread, causing individuals—especially women and children—to faint and collapse in the overcrowded space. Vijay was reportedly forced to stop his speech, appealing for police assistance and personally distributing water bottles in a desperate attempt to help those affected.
Political and Personal Tributes
The TVK Chief, a veteran Tamil cinema star, expressed his overwhelming grief on social media platform X. “My heart is broken; I am in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow,” Vijay wrote, offering his deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.
CM Stalin has deputed ministers, including Ma Subramanian, to oversee relief and medical arrangements, and has described the tragic loss of lives as unprecedented in the state’s history of political events.