27/09/2025
On 27 September 2025, a tragic stampede-like incident occurred during actor-politician Vijay’s campaign rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The event, organized by his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), drew an unexpectedly large crowd at Velusamypuram along the Karur–Erode highway. In the chaos that followed, 36 people lost their lives, including six children, 12 men, and 16 women. More than 40 others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin responded immediately, instructing officials to provide urgent medical care to the injured. He also announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh for each victim’s family. The state government has appointed retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to head a one-person commission of inquiry to investigate the causes of the tragedy and identify lapses in crowd management. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also sought a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu government.
The shocking incident has raised serious questions about safety measures at large political gatherings. Experts and opposition leaders have criticized the lack of adequate security planning, emergency preparedness, and crowd control at the rally. The tragedy has left families devastated and triggered a debate on how such large-scale events should be managed in the future to prevent further loss of lives.