Tag Archives: political rally

Karur stampede: Eyewitness accounts reveal chaos, panic before tragedy struck

**Karur Stampede: Eyewitness Accounts Reveal Chaos and Panic Before Tragedy Struck**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 28, 2025, 01:43 PM*

A political rally in Karur took a tragic turn on Saturday evening when a stampede claimed the lives of 39 people, including women and children, and left dozens injured. The incident occurred during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally where crowds had gathered to see actor-turned-politician Vijay, affectionately known as Vijay Mama by his fans.

**Initial Chaos**

Eyewitnesses and victim families have shared harrowing details of the chaos leading up to the disaster. Vinod Kumar, brother-in-law of one of the victims, recounted how a family of four had been waiting to see Vijay. “There was a power cut from 7 to 7:30 pm. The crowd surged forward just before his arrival,” he said. Tragically, his sister-in-law and her two children died on the spot due to suffocation.

Another victim, 45-year-old Jayanti, had attended the rally with her 20-year-old son, Ashwin Kumaran. Jayanti also lost her life during the stampede.

**Emergency Chaos at the Venue**

Ashwin Kumaran described the harrowing scene following the stampede. He alleged that police and TVK volunteers were unable to assist due to their own injuries. “No one was telling us where ambulances were. There was no water supply, and the road was very narrow and constricted,” he revealed.

The rally venue was strewn with shoes, crushed water bottles, torn flags, broken poles, and other debris. Many attendees were pushed into low-lying sewerage drains while attempting to escape, and some climbed onto thatched roofs only to fall down.

**Aftermath and Response**

Following the tragedy, Vijay expressed his “unbearable, inexplicable pain and grief” on social media. He prayed for those hospitalized and announced compensation of ₹20 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh each to the injured.

Calling the loss “irreparable,” Vijay assured full support from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to the victims’ families. In addition, both the state government and the Central government have announced compensation packages for those affected by the tragedy.

The stampede at the Karur rally serves as a grim reminder of the need for stringent crowd control and emergency preparedness measures, especially during large public gatherings.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/power-cut-narrow-roads-what-factors-led-to-karur-stampede/story

TN: 31 dead in stampede at TVK chief Vijay’s rally

**31 Dead in Stampede at TVK Chief Vijay’s Rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 27, 2025, 9:30 PM*

A tragic incident unfolded at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, where a stampede claimed the lives of at least 31 people and left over 40 hospitalized. The rally was organized by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay.

### Overwhelming Crowd Turns Deadly

The gathering had swelled to tens of thousands, creating an overwhelming situation as Vijay addressed the crowd. As the situation worsened, many attendees, including children, started fainting due to the crush.

Vijay was heard pleading for police assistance and was seen distributing water bottles from his customized campaign bus to those affected. Despite these efforts, ambulances struggled to navigate through the densely packed crowd to reach the injured. The fainted individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals, though some tragically succumbed to their injuries.

### Political Reactions and Government Response

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Tamil Nadu police for inadequate preparation in handling such a massive rally and demanded accountability from the ruling DMK government.

In response, Chief Minister MK Stalin took immediate notice of the incident. He directed state ministers Anbil Mahesh and Ma Subramaniam to proceed to Karur promptly. Former minister V Senthilbalaji was also tasked with ensuring that medical assistance reaches those affected by the crowd surge.

### Controversies Surrounding Vijay’s Rallies

Vijay’s political rallies have often been mired in controversy due to the massive crowds they attract. The DMK-led administration had previously imposed several restrictions on his events to manage scale and security concerns.

Positioning his party as a third alternative to both DMK and AIADMK, Vijay has consistently criticized both parties. At his rallies, he accuses the state government of neglecting basic public amenities such as roads, healthcare, clean water, and security.

As investigations continue, this tragic event highlights the challenges of managing large political gatherings and the urgent need for enhanced crowd control and emergency response measures at such events.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/31-dead-in-stampede-at-tvk-chief-vijay-s-tn-rally/story

TN: 31 dead in stampede at TVK chief Vijay’s rally

**31 Dead in Stampede at TVK Chief Vijay’s Rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu**

*By Snehil Singh | September 27, 2025, 09:30 PM*

A tragic stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has claimed the lives of at least 31 people, with over 40 others hospitalized. The incident occurred during a massive gathering for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay.

### Overwhelming Crowd Leads to Chaos

The rally attracted tens of thousands of attendees, resulting in an overwhelming and uncontrollable situation as Vijay addressed the crowd. Amid the chaos, many people, including children, began to faint due to the crushing crowd and heat.

Vijay was reportedly heard pleading for police assistance and personally distributing water bottles from his customized campaign bus to ease the distress. However, the dense crowd made it extremely difficult for ambulances to reach those in urgent need. Fainted individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals, but sadly, some could not be saved.

### Political Reactions and Accountability Demands

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sharply criticized the Tamil Nadu police for inadequate preparations to manage such a large rally. The party demanded accountability from the state government led by the DMK.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin responded swiftly, taking notice of the incident and dispatching ministers Anbil Mahesh and M.A. Subramaniam to Karur. Former minister V. Senthilbalaji was also tasked with ensuring that prompt medical assistance was provided to those affected by the crowd surge.

### Vijay’s Controversial Rally History and Political Stance

Vijay’s rallies have frequently sparked controversy, prompting the DMK-led administration to impose multiple restrictions aimed at crowd management and public safety. The TVK leader positions his party as an alternative to both the DMK and AIADMK, often criticizing them in his speeches.

He has accused the state government of neglecting essential public services, including roads, healthcare, clean water, and security, vowing not to ally with either of the dominant political factions.

This tragic event underscores the critical need for better crowd control measures and emergency preparedness at large political gatherings in Tamil Nadu.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/31-dead-in-stampede-at-tvk-chief-vijay-s-tn-rally/story

TN: 31 dead in stampede at TVK chief Vijay’s rally

**31 Dead in Stampede at TVK Chief Vijay’s Rally in Tamil Nadu**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 27, 2025, 9:30 PM*

A tragic stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has resulted in the deaths of at least 31 people, with over 40 others hospitalized. The incident took place during a rally organized by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay. Tens of thousands had gathered to hear Vijay speak, which led to an overwhelming and uncontrollable crowd situation.

### Rally Disruption and Plea for Help

As the situation worsened, many attendees—including children—began fainting due to the dense crowd and lack of basic amenities. Vijay was seen pleading for police assistance and distributing water bottles from his customized campaign bus to help those affected. However, the chaos made it difficult for ambulances to reach the injured promptly.

Several fainted individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals, but unfortunately, some did not survive.

### Political Reactions

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Tamil Nadu police for their apparent lack of preparedness for managing such a large gathering. The BJP demanded accountability from the ruling DMK government for the tragedy.

In response, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin took immediate notice of the incident. He directed state ministers Anbil Mahesh and Ma Subramaniam to travel to Karur and oversee relief efforts. Additionally, former minister V. Senthilbalaji was tasked with ensuring adequate medical assistance for those affected by the crowd surge.

### Rally Restrictions and Controversies

Vijay’s political rallies have frequently been the subject of controversy due to the massive crowds they attract. The DMK-led administration has imposed several restrictions on his events to manage safety concerns.

Vijay has positioned his party as a viable alternative to the established DMK and AIADMK parties. He has consistently criticized both parties during his rallies, asserting that he will not form alliances with either. Among his key accusations against the state government are failures to provide essential services such as roads, healthcare, clean water, and security.

As investigations into the stampede continue, questions remain about the adequacy of crowd management and emergency preparedness at large political events in Tamil Nadu.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/31-dead-in-stampede-at-tvk-chief-vijay-s-tn-rally/story