At least 31 people are feared dead and dozens injured after chaos broke out at a massive political rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur. A huge crowd gathered on Saturday for a rally led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, who heads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The event drew tens of thousands of supporters, but the overwhelming numbers caused severe congestion.

Witnesses said the situation turned tragic when people began fainting due to suffocation. The crowd soon became uncontrollable, triggering a stampede. Among those who collapsed were several children.

According to Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian, 31 people are feared dead and 40 others have been hospitalised, including six children and 16 women.

Vijay Halts Speech to Help Victims

Vijay was delivering his speech from a specially designed campaign bus when he noticed people collapsing in the crowd.

“Police, please help," he shouted, urging authorities to assist those who had fainted.

Vijay quickly stopped his speech and began handing out water bottles to the crowd. He also arranged for ambulances to help those struggling to breathe.

However, emergency vehicles faced difficulty moving through the packed area. Volunteers and party workers tried to carry the unconscious to safer spots until ambulances could reach them. Some victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, where several were later declared dead.

BJP Blames State Government for Poor Planning

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the state authorities, saying the tragedy could have been avoided with proper crowd management.

The party demanded accountability from the DMK government. BJP leaders stated that Tamil Nadu police should have made adequate arrangements in advance, given the expected turnout at Vijay’s rally.

CM Stalin Orders Urgent Relief Measures

Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep concern over the incident and immediately directed senior ministers and officials to take action.

On X (formerly Twitter), Stalin posted, “The reports coming in from Karur are concerning. I have instructed former minister @V_Senthilbalaji, Hon’ble Minister @Subramanian_Ma, and the District Collector to ensure immediate medical attention is provided to the public who have fainted and been admitted to the hospital due to the crowd surge."

He added that Minister Anbil Mahesh from the neighboring Tiruchirappalli district was tasked with providing emergency support. Stalin also said he spoke to the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) to bring the situation under control quickly.

Stalin is expected to visit Karur on Sunday. Meanwhile, other ministers, senior officials, and police teams have already reached the area to oversee rescue and relief operations.

PM Modi also expressed concern about the incident. He wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), "The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. 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."

The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. 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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2025

Vijay’s Campaign and Political Context

Vijay’s political events have been drawing massive crowds since he launched his party, the TVK. This has led to repeated clashes with the DMK-led state government, which imposed several restrictions on his rallies for safety reasons.

Last week, Vijay openly questioned these restrictions, saying, “Why do you impose conditions on me who wants to meet the people. What’s your intention? Let me tell you again, the contest in 2026 is only between the TVK and the DMK."

Vijay has positioned his party as a fresh alternative to the two dominant political forces in Tamil Nadu — DMK and AIADMK.

During his campaign, he has strongly criticised both the ruling DMK and the BJP, making it clear he will not form alliances with either party. He has also accused the state government of failing to provide basic facilities like good roads, healthcare, clean drinking water, and public safety.

Rising Concerns Over Crowd Safety

Saturday’s incident has raised serious questions about safety at large political gatherings. The sheer number of people attending Vijay’s rallies has made crowd control a significant challenge for authorities.

With several more rallies expected before the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, both the government and political parties are likely to face pressure to improve security arrangements and prevent similar tragedies in the future.