Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressed the State Assembly on October 15, 2025, providing a comprehensive account of the government’s actions following the tragic Karur stampede. This devastating incident on September 27 claimed 41 lives during a rally hosted by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay.
The Chief Minister assured the assembly that the state government is actively developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to avert similar tragedies in the future. He confirmed that all subsequent actions would align with the Supreme Court’s ultimate ruling.
Expressing profound sorrow, Mr. Stalin stated, “This tragic incident has deeply affected the people of Tamil Nadu, bringing immense shock and grief. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all who lost their lives.”
Mr. Stalin revealed that the TVK’s Karur West district secretary initially requested permission for several venues, all of which were rejected due to potential traffic issues and safety risks. A request on September 25 for locations near Lighthouse Corner or Uzhavar Sandhai was also turned down because of anticipated crowd sizes and safety concerns. Ultimately, permission was granted on September 26 for the event to be held at Velusamipuram on September 27, but this came with 11 specific conditions.
Event Security Measures
Comprehensive security measures were put in place, overseen by the Karur Superintendent of Police. The deployment included three additional Superintendents of Police, five Deputy Superintendents of Police, 18 Inspectors, 75 Sub-Inspectors, and 517 armed police personnel from Karur, augmented by 99 officers from neighboring districts. Mr. Stalin emphasized that this was a significantly larger security presence than typically assigned to political gatherings. Although organizers projected a crowd of approximately 10,000, additional security was arranged in anticipation of a much higher attendance.
The Chief Minister explained that the organizers’ official permission stated the meeting would run from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. However, the party’s general secretary publicly announced via media and social media that their leader would arrive at noon. This conflicting information led people to gather much earlier, but the leader didn’t arrive until 7 p.m., a seven-hour delay. This significant delay was a primary cause for the massive and uncontrollable crowd buildup.
A Disorganized Event
Mr. Stalin highlighted the critical lack of basic provisions like drinking water and food for the vast crowd who had been waiting since morning. He reminded the House that all members understood the necessity of such arrangements for large public gatherings, emphasizing that these were noticeably absent in Karur on the day of the rally. He contrasted this with an opposition leader’s campaign meeting held at the identical venue just two days prior, on September 25, which drew an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 attendees and proceeded without any incidents. “In stark contrast, the TVK event was notably disorganized and chaotic,” he asserted.
As the venue quickly became dangerously overcrowded, the Karur DSP urged organizers to halt the TVK leader’s campaign vehicle near Akshaya Hospital and address the attendees from that safer position. Despite repeated pleas from the Superintendent of Police, organizers insisted on continuing towards the designated main stage. Just 30 to 35 meters beyond Akshaya Hospital, a sudden surge of the crowd caused widespread panic. Tragically, numerous women and children were trapped in the crush, resulting in severe suffocation, fainting spells, and various injuries, as reported by Mr. Stalin.
In a desperate attempt to escape, some individuals broke through a tin sheet near a generator. To prevent electrocution, the generator operator immediately cut off the power. Police, upon seeing the injured, quickly called for ambulances, which arrived swiftly to aid the victims. Disturbingly, two ambulance drivers were assaulted by TVK members, and an ambulance was vandalized, severely hindering the urgent rescue efforts. Mr. Stalin confirmed that two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged at the Karur Town police station, and investigations are actively ongoing.
Immediate Government Response
The Chief Minister asserted that the government responded with immediate action. “Health Minister Ma. Subramanian and other senior officials were dispatched to Karur without delay. I personally visited the site the very night of the incident to meet and comfort the grieving families. The scale of the tragedy made it impossible for me to remain at home. I met with those receiving medical care, engaged in discussions with the doctors, and issued necessary directives. Ministers and personnel from various government departments worked collaboratively to coordinate extensive relief efforts,” he recounted.
The first injured individual was admitted to Karur Government Medical College Hospital at 7:47 p.m., initiating a flow of over 200 patients seeking treatment. A dedicated team of 152 doctors, nurses, and medical assistants from across various districts was rapidly deployed. To accommodate the influx, an additional 400 beds were established, supplementing the hospital’s existing 700. Due to insufficient cold storage in the mortuary, a special team of 24 doctors and 16 assistants worked through the night with special permission to conduct postmortems. The first autopsy commenced at 1:45 a.m. on September 28, with the 39th concluding by 1:10 p.m. that same day. In total, the tragedy claimed 41 lives, including 13 men, 18 women, and 10 children. Currently, one person remains hospitalized at Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, while all other injured individuals have since recovered.
“Throughout my five decades in public service, I have personally organized and attended countless public events,” Mr. Stalin reflected. “Every member of this House, regardless of political affiliation, shares similar experiences. It is paramount that such gatherings adhere strictly to laws, established norms, and discipline. When these critical principles are violated, it is ultimately the party workers and the ordinary citizens of Tamil Nadu who bear the brunt of the suffering. We must always remember that the lives lost in this tragedy were our own people.”