What was meant to be a show of strength for Tamil superstar Vijay’s new political journey turned into a nightmare on Saturday night in Karur, Tamil Nadu. A massive crowd that had gathered to hear the actor-turned-politician speak ended in chaos, with a deadly stampede claiming at least 36 lives and leaving many more injured. Some local reports suggest the toll could be as high as 41.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as people surged forward when Vijay began addressing the gathering. “There was no space to breathe. People fell, and then everyone just kept pushing,” said S. Murugan, who managed to escape with minor injuries.
The rally had drawn tens of thousands of supporters, far more than what the venue could safely handle. Police officials later admitted that crowd control measures were inadequate. A senior officer told reporters, “The arrangements were simply not enough for this scale of turnout. Once the panic set in, it was impossible to stop.”
Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s biggest icons who recently launched his own political party, was visibly shaken when he visited the injured at Karur Government Hospital. In a statement, he said:
“I am heartbroken. This was never supposed to happen. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. I will take full responsibility for ensuring such an incident never happens again.”
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident, while opposition parties have already begun questioning both the administration and Vijay’s team for negligence. Critics argue that the superstar’s camp should have anticipated a massive turnout given his popularity, and made stricter safety arrangements.
Meanwhile, grief has spread across Tamil Nadu, where Vijay is not just a movie idol but also seen by many as a future political leader. For his supporters, the tragedy has left behind a bitter taste in what was supposed to mark the beginning of a hopeful new chapter.
