MUMABI – A night of excitement turned into one of grief in Karur, as a crush at a rally for actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, known as Vijay, left at least 40 dead and more than 124 injured. The incident unfolded late on Saturday, after huge crowds gathered under intense heat to see the Tamil star during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) event.
Witnesses described a calm evening turning violent within minutes. Waves of people pressed forward as Vijay addressed supporters from a campaign vehicle. Yellow TVK flags filled the air, then panic took over as the crowd packed tight near the stage.
Vijay, 51, spoke about social justice and youth opportunity, and paused to pass water to fainting fans. When his vehicle began to move, hundreds surged after it. People fell, then more fell on top of them, and the crush spiralled.
“It felt like the crowd moved as one,” said R. Rajendaran, a lawyer who had come with family. He said the push started when the vehicle inched ahead, and that is when people went down. Videos shared online show ambulances stuck in dense crowds, sirens drowned by screams. Supporters in yellow scarves lay on the ground, shoes and banners scattered across the field.
Authorities first reported 36 deaths, then raised the toll through the night as bodies were identified at Karur Government Medical College Hospital. On Sunday morning, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian confirmed 40 dead, including nine children.
Among them was a seven-year-old boy. His father, Santosh, wept outside the hospital, saying his son only wanted to see his hero. Officials said at least 124 people were hurt, with dozens in intensive care for crush injuries, fractures, and heat-related complications.
Vijay Speaks to Thousands
The disaster lands at a sensitive moment for Vijay. He left films in 2024 to enter politics, launching TVK as an alternative to the DMK government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and to the BJP’s reach in the state. His rallies have drawn crowds on a massive scale. Saturday’s event, part of a statewide tour ahead of the 2026 assembly polls, exposed serious gaps in planning and safety.
Early findings point to severe overcrowding and poor crowd control. Organizers had permits for 10,000 attendees between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. Police estimate around 27,000 arrived. Social media posts claimed Vijay would come at noon, but he did not appear until about 8 p.m.
People waited for hours in extreme heat, with too little water, shade, or food. “By the time he got there, the crowd was exhausted and frustrated,” said Karur Police Superintendent V. Venkataraman. “Once people started collapsing, moving ambulances through that density was almost impossible.”
Vijay posted a message on X in the early hours, sounding shattered. He said his heart was broken, that the pain was unbearable, and that he accepted full responsibility. He urged prayers for the victims.
Criminal Case for Culpable Homicide
Video Footage from the rally shows him stopping his speech and telling people to clear a path for medical teams. For some families, remorse cannot fill the gap. “He spoke about change, but where was the planning for our safety?” asked Lakshmi, 42, whose brother died in the crush.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin visited Karur on Sunday and announced Rs 10 lakh for each bereaved family, along with free treatment for the injured. He called it a dark day for Tamil Nadu.
He set up a one-member commission led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan to report within weeks and promised strict action. Police have filed a criminal case for culpable homicide and endangering public safety against unnamed TVK functionaries, raising the stakes in an already heated political climate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared condolences on X, expressing sorrow and wishing the injured a quick recovery. Opposition leaders, including AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami, called the tragedy preventable and demanded a high-level inquiry.
India has seen deadly crushes before, from the 2024 Maha Kumbh incident to the 2013 Allahabad tragedy. Each one points to a stubborn pattern of weak crowd planning and poor coordination.
In Tamil Nadu, cinema and politics often blur, and fan devotion can escalate into risky mass gatherings. Vijay, hailed by fans as Thalapathy, commands a loyalty that is both passionate and intense. Star power without basic safeguards can become dangerous.
By dawn on Sunday, the Karur grounds lay quiet. Yellow badges fluttered on the dirt, a bleak echo of the night’s frenzy. Families queued at the hospital with photos of loved ones, while volunteers handed out water. Sources close to Vijay said he has cancelled upcoming events and is mourning in private.
The larger questions will not go away. Can rallies of this size be made safe without strict controls? Will TVK lose momentum or push for clear reforms in event planning? For now, Karur mourns 40 lives cut short. A leader grieves, a state searches for answers, and families face an empty place that cannot be filled.
