Key Points
- At least 33 people, including six children, were killed and over 40 injured in a deadly stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s TVK rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on September 27, 2025.
- The stampede was reportedly triggered by a sudden power outage at the overcrowded venue, causing widespread panic and a lethal crowd surge.
- Tamil Nadu police are set to file an FIR against Vijay for alleged negligence, as the crowd size vastly exceeded the permitted limit of 10,000.
- CM M.K. Stalin has ordered a high-level response, and a judicial inquiry has been announced to investigate the causes of the tragedy.
Karur: A political rally led by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, turned into a scene of devastating tragedy on Saturday night when a stampede resulted in the deaths of at least 33 people, including six children and 16 women. Over 40 others sustained injuries and were rushed to various hospitals, with several remaining in critical condition. The incident occurred at Veluchamy Puram, where Vijay’s newly formed party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), had organized a massive public gathering as part of his 2026 Assembly election campaign.
The Trigger: Overcrowding and a Sudden Power Outage
Eyewitnesses and initial reports suggest the tragedy was precipitated by a sudden power outage that plunged the overcrowded venue into darkness around 7:20 PM. Panic erupted among the estimated 30,000 to 35,000 supporters who had gathered, many of whom had been waiting for over six hours. The venue, which had police permission for only 10,000 people, became a death trap as the crowd surged uncontrollably. Poor ventilation and blocked exit routes exacerbated the chaos, making escape impossible for many caught in the crush.
Before the stampede, Vijay had twice paused his speech to distribute water bottles from his campaign bus as he noticed people fainting in the dense crowd. However, his appeals for calm were lost in the ensuing panic. Rescue efforts were severely hampered as ambulances struggled to navigate the jammed streets to reach the victims.
Government Response and Political Fallout
The Tamil Nadu government responded swiftly to the disaster. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed his profound grief and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured. He dispatched Health Minister Ma. Subramanian and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi to Karur to oversee relief operations. Over 40 doctors from neighboring districts were also rushed to Karur to assist with medical care.
The political fallout was immediate. The ruling DMK has blamed Vijay for negligence and called for his arrest, highlighting that the crowd size far exceeded the sanctioned limit. In response to the massive public and political pressure, the Tamil Nadu police have announced their intention to file an FIR against Vijay and the rally organizers. A judicial inquiry has also been initiated to investigate the lapses in crowd management and security protocols. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences, calling the incident “deeply saddening”.
Vijay’s Political Campaign
The tragedy occurred during Vijay’s aggressive campaign tour through the Kongu region, where he has been drawing massive crowds. In his speeches in Namakkal and Karur, he launched scathing attacks on both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK, positioning his TVK as the primary challenger in the 2026 Assembly elections. He accused the state government of failing to address basic civic issues and declared that the real contest would be between “people’s power and corrupt governance”. The TVK has yet to release an official statement on the tragedy.
