Stampede at Vijay’s Karur Rally Kills 36, Including 8 Children; State and Centre Order Probes. 

Karur/Chennai:

In a tragic turn of events, a massive stampede during actor-turned-politician Vijay’s political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, claimed the lives of 36 people, including eight children and 16 women, late Saturday evening. The horrific incident unfolded around 7:30 pm when an overwhelming crowd surged forward to catch a glimpse of Vijay, the leader of the newly-formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party.

Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, addressing the media after an emergency meeting with top officials at the Secretariat, confirmed the death toll and announced a Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

Stampede Triggered During Speech

According to eyewitnesses and officials on the ground, the crowd had started assembling in the afternoon and waited for hours under the scorching sun. Tensions escalated as the evening wore on, with people fainting due to exhaustion and overcrowding. As Vijay began addressing the gathering from atop a campaign vehicle, panic erupted when attendees in the front started collapsing.

“People were fainting, and others began pushing forward. There was no space to move, and the situation spiraled out of control,” a survivor said, still shaken.

Vijay reportedly stopped his speech mid-way as party workers raised alarms about the deteriorating crowd situation.

Vijay Expresses “Unbearable Pain”

Visibly distressed, Vijay chose not to speak to the media at airports in Tiruchirappalli and Chennai but later issued an emotional statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

“My heart has broken. I am in unbearable, inexplicable pain and grief. I pray for the speedy recovery of those being treated and extend my deepest sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters killed in Karur,” he wrote.

Government Responds with Compensation, Relief Measures

Chief Minister Stalin has announced Rs. 10 lakh as compensation for the families of the deceased and said that all necessary medical and financial support will be extended to the injured.

Stalin is expected to visit Karur in person and has deployed Health Minister Ma Subramanian, Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, and the Karur District Collector to oversee relief operations.

Condolences Pour In from Across the Nation

Condolences and reactions to the tragedy have come from leaders across the political spectrum:

• President Droupadi Murmu expressed anguish and extended her condolences to the grieving families.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “deeply saddening” and prayed for the families affected.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he had spoken with CM Stalin and TN Governor R. N. Ravi, assuring central assistance.
• Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjuna Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed their sorrow.
• Political figures from Tamil Nadu including Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and others joined in mourning the loss.

DMK Blames TVK Organisers

In a sharp political response, ruling DMK party spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai held the rally organisers responsible for the tragedy.

“People were all there, and suddenly they are dead because of the stampede. Who is responsible? The organisers who were reportedly delaying the proceedings for ‘fancy drone shots’. This is nothing short of criminal negligence,” he told.

He also accused Vijay’s team of prioritizing optics over safety.

Central Government Seeks Report

The Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu government. Union Minister Amit Shah is closely monitoring the situation and has ensured coordination between central and state agencies.

Scene of Grief and Chaos in Karur

Karur, a small town nearly 400 km from Chennai, was plunged into mourning. Grieving families gathered outside hospitals and mortuaries. Distressed relatives searched for missing members while survivors recounted the horror of being trapped in the crowd.

One woman, who lost her teenage daughter, said, “She just wanted to see Vijay once. I never thought I would be taking her body back home.”

Next Steps

As the state government begins its inquiry and relief operations, questions loom over crowd management, political responsibility, and event planning. The tragedy has also cast a shadow over Vijay’s nascent political career, raising serious concerns over handling large-scale public gatherings.

This is a developing story. Further updates are awaited from authorities and the inquiry commission.