On September 27, 2025, tragedy struck the city of Karur in Tamil Nadu, southern India, as a political rally for popular actor-turned-politician Vijay ended in a devastating stampede that claimed at least 36 lives and left more than 50 others injured. Among the deceased were eight children, underscoring the scale of heartbreak that swept through the region and the nation at large. The rally, attended by tens of thousands, was intended to be a major campaign event for Vijay’s newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, but quickly descended into chaos as the crowd surged forward, resulting in deadly consequences.
According to Tamil Nadu’s Health Minister, Ma Subramanian, the victims were dead by the time they reached local hospitals, while those injured were reported to be in stable condition. “There was indiscipline at the rally,” Subramanian told the Associated Press, adding that an official investigation had been ordered into the circumstances that led to the disaster. The rally, which drew an estimated 30,000 people, was marked by intense heat and growing restlessness as Vijay, a beloved figure in Tamil cinema and now an emerging political force, arrived hours behind schedule. Witnesses reported that the crowd’s patience wore thin, and some attendees attempted to rush towards Vijay’s campaign bus as he finally took the stage, triggering the stampede.
Indian media outlets, including The Times of India and the Hindustan Times, described scenes of mounting distress as people lost consciousness in the crush. At least 30 people reportedly fainted while Vijay addressed the crowd from atop his campaign vehicle. He paused his speech multiple times, personally distributing water bottles to fainting supporters and calling for police assistance when the situation became unmanageable. Video footage from the event showed ambulances struggling to navigate through the dense throng, with Vijay urging attendees to make way for emergency responders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded swiftly to the tragedy, expressing his condolences on social media. “The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening,” he wrote. “My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured.”
Vijay himself, visibly shaken, posted his grief online, stating, “My heart is shattered. I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for a speedy recovery for those who are undergoing treatment in the hospital.” His words resonated with the public, many of whom have followed his career from superstar actor to political aspirant. The 51-year-old, who retired from acting in 2024 to launch his own party, has drawn massive crowds to his rallies, a testament to his enduring popularity and the fervor of his supporters.
The political ramifications of the incident were immediate. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the formation of a commission, to be led by retired Judge Aruna Jagadeesan, to thoroughly investigate the causes and management failures that contributed to the tragedy. Stalin also declared that families of the victims would receive one million rupees (approximately $11,200) in compensation, an attempt to offer some solace amid the grief. State lawmaker Senthil Balaji reported that 58 people had been admitted to hospital following the stampede, highlighting the severity of the injuries sustained.
The disaster has cast a harsh spotlight on the recurring problem of crowd control at large public gatherings in India. Stampedes are, unfortunately, not uncommon in the country. In January 2025, at least 30 people were killed during the Maha Kumbh festival, the world’s largest religious gathering, as tens of thousands rushed to bathe in a sacred river. In July 2024, a staggering 121 people lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh during a Hindu religious event. Even sports celebrations have not been immune: 11 fans were crushed to death in Bengaluru this June during festivities for a local cricket team’s Premier League victory.
Vijay’s rallies, in particular, have previously raised safety concerns. When his political party was launched in October 2024, media reports indicated that at least six people died during the inaugural meeting due to overcrowding. Despite police-imposed restrictions on convoy sizes and last-minute venue changes, the sheer scale of public turnout has repeatedly overwhelmed local infrastructure, leading to tragic outcomes. As The Guardian noted, “Despite police-imposed restrictions, including limits on convoy size and venue changes, the sheer scale of public turnout has repeatedly overwhelmed local infrastructure.”
The phenomenon of actors transitioning into politics is not new in Tamil Nadu, where film stars often enjoy larger-than-life status. Vijay, whose full name is Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, has been a fixture in Tamil cinema for over three decades and commands a following that borders on the devotional. His entry into politics, targeting both the state’s ruling DMK party and Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has electrified the local political scene ahead of state elections scheduled for early 2026. The rally in Karur was part of his campaign tour, aimed at mobilizing support and demonstrating the strength of his new party.
As details of the tragedy continue to emerge, questions abound regarding the adequacy of crowd management measures at such high-profile events. Officials have pointed to a combination of factors: the overwhelming turnout, the intense heat, Vijay’s delayed arrival, and the fervor of his supporters all contributed to a volatile situation. Local news outlets cited reports that some in the crowd attempted to get closer to Vijay’s bus, while others fainted due to exhaustion and heat, further fueling the panic. According to Press Trust of India, “as Vijay spoke to the surging crowd, a group of his supporters and fans fell while trying to get close to his bus, causing the stampede.”
The incident has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols at mass gatherings, especially those involving celebrities-turned-politicians who wield immense influence. The commission of inquiry, led by Judge Jagadeesan, is expected to scrutinize the planning, crowd control strategies, and emergency response actions taken by both the organizers and local authorities. Chief Minister Stalin has urged the public to cooperate fully with doctors and police as the investigation proceeds.
For the families of the victims, compensation offers little comfort in the face of such profound loss. The images of chaos, grief, and heroism—Vijay pausing to help the injured, ambulances weaving through crowds, and the stunned silence that followed—will linger in the collective memory of Tamil Nadu. As the state and the country mourn, the hope is that this latest tragedy will spur a serious re-examination of how public safety is managed at large-scale events, so that such heartbreak might be prevented in the future.
