Karur Stampede: The devastating stampede that tragically killed at least 40 people and injured over a hundred at actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur has swiftly descended into a political blame game a day after the incident. The dead bodies of the victims, which include ten children and seventeen women, were handed over to their grieving families on Sunday following post-mortem examinations. Meanwhile, the injured continue to receive treatment at a local hospital, with three reportedly in critical condition.
Today morning, a bomb threat has been made against actor Vijay’s home in Chennai. Following the threat, police have deployed a bomb squad with sniffer dogs. Police have launched an investigation into the matter.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in the district of Karur on Saturday to attend the rally by Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly and professionally known as Vijay, amid sweltering heat. Vijay is one of Tamil Nadu’s most successful actors and is running for office in state elections scheduled to be held in early 2026.
In southern Indian states, particularly Tamil Nadu, some film stars have larger than life status, rooted in the ancient Tamil culture of hero worship. Many have become successful politicians and some have even been given divine status.
The state police have put the onus on the organizers, Vijay’s party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The Director General of Police stated that the tragedy was triggered by the actor-politician’s severely delayed arrival. Organizers had secured permission for an estimated 10,000 people to attend the rally between 3 pm and 10 pm, but a premature social media announcement of a 12 noon arrival led to nearly 27,000 people gathering.
The police have ruled out any intelligence failure and said that Vijay arrived at around late to the rally and people had been waiting almost the entire day for the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader.
In a sharp counter-attack, the TVK has alleged a “political conspiracy” and moved the Madras High Court seeking an independent probe by the CBI or a Special Investigation Team.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has expressed deep sorrow and announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh for the deceased’s next of kin and ₹1 lakh for the injured. He has also constituted a one-member Commission of Inquiry, led by a retired High Court Judge, to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragedy, promising that strict action would be taken once the truth is uncovered.
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