On the evening of September 27, 2025, Tamil Nadu was rocked by a tragedy that has left the state reeling and the nation in mourning. What began as a campaign rally for actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur quickly spiraled into chaos, resulting in a deadly stampede that claimed the lives of at least 39 people, including 16 women and eight children, and left over 150 hospitalized. The incident, which unfolded behind the van from which Vijay was addressing his supporters, has triggered a wave of grief, outrage, and urgent calls for accountability across the political spectrum.
According to India Today, the rally was held at a venue that many attendees later described as cramped and lacking basic facilities. As dusk fell, the crowd—far larger than the 10,000 originally anticipated by organizers—had swelled to between 25,000 and 30,000 people, as estimated by Additional Director General of Police Davidson. Only 500 police personnel were on duty for the massive gathering, raising immediate questions about crowd control and safety measures.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the situation began to deteriorate around 7:00 pm, when an abrupt power outage plunged the venue into darkness for nearly 30 minutes. The lack of lighting, combined with mounting frustration over Vijay’s delayed arrival, agitated the crowd. Many had been waiting since 10 am, spurred by social media posts advertising Vijay’s appearance at 12:45 pm, even though official permission for the event was from 3 pm onward. The delay, coupled with insufficient water and food for those waiting in the heat, created a tinderbox atmosphere.
Tragedy struck when dozens of supporters, eager for a better view, climbed a tree near the stage. The branches gave way, sending people tumbling onto the tightly packed crowd below—about 50 meters from where Vijay stood. The sudden crash triggered a wave of panic that rippled through the audience, crushing men, women, and children in the chaos. Ambulances struggled to reach the injured as the crowd pressed in, and Vijay, initially unaware of the scale of the disaster, continued his speech before being informed and leaving the stage. He returned to Chennai later that night, reportedly holding a video conference with his team the next morning to address the unfolding crisis.
The response from authorities was swift but somber. Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed shock and left home to catch a 1 am flight to Trichy to oversee relief efforts. Health Minister Ma Subramaniam, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, and senior police officials rushed to the scene. Stalin visited the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur to meet with the injured, describing the incident as "horrific and beyond words." In a statement, he said, "In the history of our state, never has such a large number of people lost their lives in a program organised by a political party, and such a tragedy should never happen in the future either."
The Tamil Nadu government announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each victim’s family and Rs 1 lakh for those injured, with patients being transferred to both government and private hospitals, including Apollo, to expedite care. Vijay himself pledged Rs 20 lakh to each bereaved family and Rs 2 lakh to each injured person, stating, "This is indeed an irreparable loss for us. No matter who offers words of comfort, the loss of our loved ones is unbearable. Yet, as a member of your family, I intend to provide 20 lakh rupees to each family of our kin who have lost their loved ones and 2 lakh rupees to each person who is injured and receiving treatment." He added, "This amount is, of course, not significant in the face of such a loss. However, at this moment, it is my duty as a member of your family to stand by you, my kin, with heartfelt support."
Political leaders from all parties expressed their condolences and called for investigations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, "The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. 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." Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi echoed these sentiments and urged Congress workers to assist in relief efforts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to the Governor and Chief Minister, assuring all possible help from the Centre, while the Union Home Ministry sought a detailed report from the state government.
The tragedy has ignited a fierce debate over responsibility and planning. Many families of the victims blamed the venue’s cramped layout and the lack of basic amenities for the disaster. The power outage, insufficient water, and Vijay’s delayed arrival were all cited as contributing factors to the crowd’s restlessness and eventual panic. DMK Minister TRB Rajaa accused Vijay’s party, TVK, of poor planning and failing to provide adequate facilities, while also alleging that the organizers did not follow safety rules. He stated, "TVK’s poor planning, including failure to provide drinking water and food, created dangerous conditions for the large crowd, many of whom had gathered since 10 am after Vijay’s social media announced a 12:45 pm event. The delay in Vijay’s arrival further worsened the situation."
Vijay and his supporters, however, pushed back against the criticism. Days before the rally, Vijay had publicly clashed with the DMK government, accusing officials of deliberately assigning cramped venues and imposing restrictions on his campaign. "Even if TVK selects a place where public can watch the event freely and peacefully, the department rejects it and allows permission for a constricted place instead," Vijay said on September 21 in Nagapattinam. He questioned, "What big did we ask? A place for public to stand freely and peacefully to watch the event. We selected a place and gave you. Instead what do you do? You choose a constricted place where people get crammed and give us permission for that. What is your intention sir?"
DMK officials countered by releasing documentation showing that the location was exactly what TVK had requested, and that the organizers had estimated a turnout of 10,000 people, while the actual crowd far exceeded this number. The permission letter, as reported by India Today, warned that authorities feared up to 50,000 might gather at the 1.20 lakh square foot venue.
In the aftermath, calls for accountability and reform have grown louder. The state government constituted a one-member commission led by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the incident. The Madras High Court scheduled an urgent plea to consider restraining TVK from organizing further public gatherings until the enquiry concludes. Meanwhile, FIRs were registered against TVK’s general secretary and joint secretary, and the Governor sought an explanation from the Chief Minister regarding the choice of venue.
As the investigation unfolds, the tragedy has prompted broader questions about political rallies, crowd management, and public safety in India. The outpouring of grief—from candlelight vigils in Thanjavur to statements by leaders like former Prime Minister H D Devegowda and actor Kamal Haasan—underscores the deep scars left by the disaster. As the families of the victims mourn, the state faces a reckoning over how such a calamity could have been prevented—and how to ensure it never happens again.
