A public rally for actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), ended in tragedy on Saturday evening after a crowd surge led to a deadly stampede in Karur district. Officials confirmed at least 30 fatalities, including women and children, with over 50 individuals injured. The death toll is feared to rise.
The incident occurred in Velusamypuram on the Karur-Erode highway where thousands had gathered for the ‘Velicham Veliyeru’ campaign meeting. Eyewitnesses reported that chaos erupted around 7:45 PM when sections of the crowd pushed forward towards the stage as Vijay began speaking.
Chaos and Response
Television footage showed the actor interrupting his speech to call for help and distributing water bottles to those who had fainted in the crush. Volunteers formed human chains to assist ambulance movement as the injured were rushed to hospitals in Karur, Erode, and Tiruchirappalli.
Overwhelmed Security
Despite police permissions for 30,000 attendees, nearly 60,000 people converged at the venue, which had been relocated from central Karur to a supposedly more open area. While police had imposed restrictions including barricades and separate entry-exit points, officials privately admitted the crowd control measures were inadequate for the unexpected turnout.
Investigations and Reactions
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The state government is considering compensation of ₹5 lakh for families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Opposition parties accused the ruling DMK government and TVK of negligence, while TVK spokesperson Bussy Anand stated they had followed all police guidelines.
The tragedy marks a significant challenge for Vijay’s nascent political movement, which has been gaining momentum ahead of the 2026 state elections. The incident has revived concerns about safety protocols at large-scale political events in Tamil Nadu, particularly those featuring popular film personalities.
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