"My heart is shattered, writhing in pain."
A political rally led by actor and politician Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district turned deadly, with 38 people, including 10 children and 17 women, killed in a stampede.
Officials said more than 50 others were injured.
Police sources said some attendees fainted as the crowd surged forward, sparking panic.
A senior officer estimated that “at least 30,000 people had gathered” for the event, where Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay was scheduled to speak following his previous rally in Namakkal.
His arrival was delayed by more than six hours, during which the crowd grew beyond control.
Videos showed Vijay halting his speech as people became suffocated from overcrowding and heat, throwing water bottles into the crowd to help.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Tamil Nadu government for a detailed report.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, set to visit Karur tonight, expressed his shock on X.
He announced a one-member panel, headed by retired judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to investigate the tragedy.
The minister said: “I have ordered an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and Rs 1 lakh for those undergoing intensive treatment in hospitals.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences:
“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.”
After the incident, Vijay left Karur for Chennai, avoiding the media at Trichy airport.
He later released a statement, saying: “My heart is shattered, writhing in pain.”
TVK leader Vijay pauses speech in Karur, distributes water to people, arranges for ambulance for those in the crowd feeling suffocated.#VijayRally #Karur #TVKLeader #CrowdSafety #AmbulanceAssistance #HeatRelief pic.twitter.com/X7Qq3v1RFb
— Lokmat Times Nagpur (@LokmatTimes_ngp) September 27, 2025
Police have filed a case against Muthiyazhagan, the Karur district secretary of TVK, who was responsible for organising the rally.
Concerns over safety at Vijay’s events had already been raised after a rally in Trichy earlier this month caused severe disruption, with a 20-minute journey turning into a six-hour traffic jam.
To manage risks, police had imposed 23 safety conditions for TVK rallies, including bans on convoys, restrictions on public receptions, and advisories for vulnerable groups to follow events online.
However, many supporters ignored these instructions, bringing children and infants to the rallies.
The Madras High Court, while reviewing TVK’s petition against the restrictions, highlighted the dangers at Vijay’s earlier rally.
Justice N Sathish Kumar noted: “If something untoward had happened, who would take responsibility?
“As party president, Vijay ought to control the crowds.”
The Karur stampede has intensified scrutiny of TVK rallies and raised urgent questions about safety at mass political gatherings in Tamil Nadu.
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