Image Source of Rally of Thalapathy Vijay @ indiatoday.in
A massive political rally led by actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Thalapathy Vijay turned into an unimaginable tragedy on Saturday evening, as a sudden and overwhelming crowd surge resulted in the death of at least 39 people, including nine children. The horrific incident, which also left nearly 100 people injured, has shocked the state and prompted immediate calls for an official inquiry into alleged crowd management failures.
Medical and forensic teams at the Karur Government Medical College Hospital are working on an “urgent footing” to complete post-mortem examinations, with district officials assuring families they will hand over the victims’ bodies by noon on Sunday. The deceased include 17 women, 13 men, four boys, and five girls, tragically underscoring the broad demographic of those caught in the crush.
The rally, held at Velusamipuram, attracted a crowd vastly exceeding official estimates, reportedly swelling to over 30,000 supporters. Witnesses describe a chaotic scene that escalated dramatically around 7:30 PM, shortly after Vijay began addressing the gathering. A combination of factors—including severe overcrowding, reports of a brief power outage, and the late arrival of the TVK chief after an all-day campaign—created a highly volatile environment.
Eyewitnesses report a sudden push forward from the densely packed audience, triggering a stampede-like situation. The lack of space, poor ventilation, and the sheer volume of people caused many, including young children, to faint and collapse. Accounts suggest that a separate incident, where supporters who had climbed a tree fell onto the crowd, may have precipitated the full-blown panic.
The immediate rescue operation faced significant challenges. With the venue overflowing, ambulances struggled desperately to navigate the jammed routes to reach the injured, forcing party workers and volunteers to rush unconscious victims to safety themselves. Officials confirm the injured are receiving intensive treatment at both government and private hospitals in Karur and Trichy, with two patients currently listed in critical condition.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin immediately expressed profound grief, declaring the event an “irreparable loss” and a tragedy unprecedented for a political gathering in the state’s history. He announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased and ordered a swift, comprehensive probe by a Commission of Inquiry headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan.
The police have already filed a case against the TVK’s Karur West district president, the rally’s organiser, for alleged criminal negligence and culpable homicide, with official sources indicating violations of police-mandated event conditions.
In his first official statement following the disaster, TVK chief Vijay stated his heart was “shattered,” announcing a personal compensation of ₹20 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other national political leaders have also extended their condolences and announced relief funds for the victims.
Tamil cinema superstar Thalapathy Vijay has officially wrapped up his final feature film, the political action thriller ‘Jana Nayagan‘, marking his highly anticipated transition into full-time politics. The movie, directed by H. Vinoth and initially known as Thalapathy 69, serves as the actor’s cinematic swansong before he dedicates himself entirely to his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
However, the tragic loss of life, especially among children, has intensified public scrutiny of the party’s preparedness and the efficacy of police crowd control measures. Senior police officers maintained that the turnout far surpassed expected numbers, making management exceedingly difficult. As the community grieves and authorities begin their rigorous investigation, the focus shifts to ensuring accountability for the disastrous safety lapses at one of the state’s largest political events in recent memory. The rapid release of the victims’ bodies remains a top priority, offering a small measure of closure to the devastated families.
