TVK Cadres Shell-Shocked Over TN Stampede Tragedy, Toll Mounts to 40

PTI, CHENNAI/KARUR, SEPT 28, 2025: The stampede that led to the tragic death of 40 people, including nine children, in Karur’s Veluchamypuram has left members of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, led by actor-politician Vijay, shell-shocked.

The party has come under sharp criticism from several quarters for the poor arrangements at the weekend political rally where the crowd continued to swell as Vijay’s arrival from Namakkal district got delayed by several hours. When he finally arrived at the venue at around 7 PM, the tragedy was waiting to unfold.

Former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami blamed the police and administration for their inability to manage the crowd and avert the tragedy through proper arrangements. However, the police claimed that the situation went out of control as several thousand people, far beyond the expected numbers, gathered to see the actor.

Mounds of shoes and chappals, crushed water bottles, torn party flags, pieces of clothes, broken poles, shreds of papers sprayed from party poppers, and striking garbage scattered across the venue all served as grim reminders of the tragic incident.

A young man, who was among the crowd at the stampede spot and managed to get out safely, claimed that several people were pushed into a ‘low-lying sewerage’ close to the road margin as many tried to escape at the same time. He regretted that what began as a "celebration time" to hail their beloved matinee idol ended in tragedy.

"As fans were chanting Vijay's name, several did not realize that it was a stampede and that people had fallen down. Many who happened to place their feet on people who fell down also got tripped and fell," he told reporters.

Many people have their own theories about the cause of the stampede, but it remains unclear what exactly went wrong—whether it was the choice of the venue or overcrowding, which has been witnessed ever since Vijay launched his state-wide tour on September 13.

At the venue, people pushed away tin sheets used to barricade and create enclosure-like spaces, and many who climbed onto thatched roof structures nearby fell down and sustained injuries. At almost the same time, the police baton-charged to control the situation. However, people, including children, who were caught in the crowd and fell, could not comprehend what was happening.

In response to the tragedy, Vijay announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the families of the victims and Rs 2 lakh for those injured in the incident.