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At least 40 people lost their lives in a stampede at actor-politician and TVK chief Vijay’s public rally in Karur on September 27.
At least 40 people died at TVK chief Vijay’s rally in Karur. (PTI)
Tragedy unfolded at TVK chief Vijay’s mega rally on Saturday as a stampede claimed the lives of nearly 40 people in Karur. A video has surfaced in which Vijay asked his cadres to search for a 9-year-old missing girl during his campaign, just before the stampede took place.
Vijay held a massive rally in Karur on Saturday, but arrived six hours later, causing the crowd to swell uncontrollably. Police permission was reportedly for only 10,000 people in Vijay’s Karur rally, but the actual turnout swelled to nearly 50,000, as per reports.
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The restless crowd pushed ahead to catch a glimpse of the actor, breaking through barriers and causing a stampede. Several people fell unconscious due to fatigue after waiting for several hours, prompting Vijay to pause his speech.
ALSO READ: Vijay’s TVK Moves Madras High Court, Alleges Conspiracy After 40 Killed In Karur Stampede
Vijay Asks Cadres To Look For Missing Girl
In a video posted by PTI, a cadre interrupted Vijay’s speech to tell him that a girl is missing. Vijay announces that a 9-year-old girl is missing, asking the crowd and his cadres to look for her over the mic.
“Brothers, please find her. Her name is Ashmika. Police, sir, please help, sir,” he told his cadres. An ambulance was seen making its way through the crowd to help someone.
The actor-turned-politician abruptly ended his speech as several people, including children, fainted at the overcrowded rally. “Police, please help,” he was heard saying as people fell unconscious at his rally in Karur. He also distributed water to people and arranged for ambulances for people who were feeling suffocated in the rally.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and called the tragic incident “deeply saddening.”
Vijay’s TVK Moves Madras High Court
Meanwhile, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam approached the Madras High Court seeking a probe into the Karur stampede. The TVK, according to LiveLaw, which first reported the development, is alleging conspiracy and is seeking a suo motu probe or a probe by an independent agency.
Vijay on Sunday announced that Rs 20 lakh would be given to the families of those who lost their lives at a stampede. He said he is deeply anguished over the incident, which claimed more than 30 lives and left many others injured.
Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkatraman on Sunday said TVK chief Vijay’s delayed arrival for his rally led to a surge in the crowds at Karur, which sparked the stampede. He said permission was sought for 10,000 people, and the authorities had estimated a large turnout based on the actor-politician’s previous rallies.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced the formation of a commission of inquiry, headed by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to probe the stampede. Authorities said the commission will examine all aspects of the tragedy to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
Karur, India, India
September 28, 2025, 17:09 IST
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