Karur: The death toll from the devastating stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur has risen to 39, with officials confirming that the victims include 10 children and 17 women.
More than 80 people have been injured, many of them battling for life in hospitals. Earlier estimates had placed the number of injured lower, but officials now admit the scale of the tragedy is far worse.
30+ died in stampede during Joseph Vijay’s political rally in Tamil Nadu.
And this shameless continued his speech even after the ambulance arrived. pic.twitter.com/HHFMEBYA6N
— BALA (@erbmjha) September 27, 2025
Chaos and Tragedy
The stampede broke out at Veluswamypuram, along the busy Karur–Erode highway, when the crowd surged forward toward the barricades around the main stage. The panic was reportedly triggered by a collapse or fall inside the tightly packed gathering.
Vijay, who was delayed by over six hours, was yet to arrive when restlessness and heat exhaustion began to take a toll on the crowd. Witnesses say several people fainted in the crush, adding to the chaos.
Eyewitnesses and commentators have flagged multiple lapses—poor crowd control, inadequate buffer zones, lack of exit routes, and delays in the star leader’s arrival—all of which combined to make the event unmanageable.
36 DEAD.
8 CHILDREN.
16 WOMEN.Murder by criminal negligence, VIP entitlement, improper planning at Actor Vijay’s rally in Karur, T.N. pic.twitter.com/jE7OWb7vUx
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) September 27, 2025
Legal and Administrative Action
The Karur District Police have booked TVK leaders Anand (General Secretary) and Nirmal Kumar (Joint General Secretary) under separate FIRs.
Additional DGP (Law & Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham confirmed the death toll and said preliminary investigations are underway.
Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has announced a judicial inquiry, appointing retired High Court Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the causes and accountability. The government has also declared ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim’s family. Stalin will personally visit Karur to meet the families and monitor relief efforts.
Political Reactions
The tragedy has triggered sharp political blame games. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai accused Vijay and his party functionaries of “criminal negligence,” alleging that crowds were deliberately made to wait for hours under the sun.
“Whoever is responsible must face arrest. Vijay cannot escape culpability,” Annadurai said.
Vijay, returning to Chennai, issued a statement expressing deep sorrow: “My heart is shattered, writhing in pain.”
This is not the first controversy around TVK rallies. The party’s debut event in Trichy earlier this month created traffic snarls that left commuters stranded for hours. In Madurai, a case was filed in August against Vijay’s security team after a cadre complained of assault.
Local traders in Karur announced a shutdown in solidarity with the victims, calling the incident “avoidable” and demanding accountability.
Questions Over Permissions
Reports suggest that police had earlier denied permission for the Karur rally, citing high footfall and safety concerns. In recent months, TVK has also faced notices for unauthorised banners, makeshift structures, and safety violations during campaign events across Tamil Nadu.
The Karur tragedy has now raised urgent questions about event management, political responsibility, and public safety in Tamil Nadu’s highly charged election atmosphere.
