A tragic confluence of poor planning and woefully inadequate security measures directly led to the devastating stampede at a TVK political rally in Karur, claiming the lives of 38 individuals and leaving at least 65 others injured. The majority of the victims were young adults, aged between 18 and 30.
Initial reports indicate that organizers for the TVK meeting had proposed four different locations within Karur, including the bustling Bus Stand roundabout and the Light House area. However, police authorities denied permission for these sites due to their densely populated, commercial nature. Instead, approval was granted for Velusamypuram on Karur-Erode Road, a venue that had previously hosted a large rally for AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami just days before, on September 25, 2025.
Despite organizers announcing that TVK president Vijay would address the gathering at 12 noon, eager crowds began congregating as early as 9 a.m. Unfortunately, Mr. Vijay failed to arrive at the stipulated time, initiating a prolonged wait for attendees.
As the day wore on, the crowd steadily swelled. By 2 p.m., an estimated 4,000 people had gathered. However, the numbers surged dramatically around 4 p.m. when news spread that Mr. Vijay was en route to Karur after concluding a rally in Namakkal, drawing supporters from across Karur and neighboring Erode and Coimbatore districts.
Under the scorching sun, many attendees, including women, children, and young girls, steadfastly held their ground, some even foregoing lunch to retain their vantage points. To keep spirits high and engage the expectant crowd, organizers continuously played specially composed campaign songs.
Anticipation mounted as the crowd pressed forward towards the designated parking area for Mr. Vijay’s bus. Although Mr. Vijay arrived at a road overbridge in Karur, less than a kilometer from the rally site, by 6 p.m., it took him another hour to reach the main meeting spot, finally arriving at 7 p.m.
Upon Mr. Vijay’s delayed arrival, the crowd at the meeting spot effectively doubled as those who had accompanied his vehicle merged with the already waiting masses. Chaos erupted when attendees were suddenly compelled to create a path for Mr. Vijay’s bus. This abrupt movement triggered the stampede, leading to many fans, unable to retreat, collapsing. Several fell onto a makeshift shed that housed a generator and a television outside broadcast van, exacerbating the dangerous situation.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences. B. Kanishka shared, “I was pushed down by the crowd all of a sudden. There was absolutely no space to move, and I subsequently fainted.” Karthick from Erode added, “My friend quickly moved me to safety after seeing me get caught in the uncontrollable surge. This entire tragedy could have been avoided if people weren’t forced to endure hours of waiting. The combination of poor event planning, flawed execution, and a notable absence of sufficient police personnel at the scene were undeniable contributing factors.”
Reacting to the devastating incident, esteemed actor and MNM leader Kamal Haasan expressed profound shock and grief. “It is heart-rending,” he stated, extending his deepest condolences to the innocent lives lost in the crowd crush. He implored the State government to guarantee comprehensive medical care for the rescued and substantial relief for all those affected.
K. Selvaperunthagai, President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, conveyed his sorrow over the incident, emphasizing that this tragic event must serve as a crucial lesson for organizing future public gatherings. He called upon all political parties and organizations to prioritize attendee safety by ensuring robust medical emergency services, sufficient police presence, clearly marked exit routes, and highly effective crowd control protocols during event planning.
Furthermore, Mr. Selvaperunthagai pressed authorities to establish and enforce stringent guidelines aimed at preventing any recurrence of such devastating tragedies.
On the social media platform X, State BJP president Nainar Nagenthran announced that he had requested senior leaders of BJP Tamil Nadu to promptly visit hospitals and provide all necessary assistance to those impacted. He also directed the BJP district president of Karur to ensure immediate and appropriate support for the victims.
In response to the crisis, the Karur district administration established emergency helplines to provide information about the stampede victims. Residents can reach the District Collectorate Emergency Control Room at 04324-256306 or utilize the WhatsApp helpline at 7010806322.