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“My heart is broken; I am in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow,” actor and TVK chief Vijay wrote on X after the stampede at his rally in Karur
Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable actors for three decades, has drawn massive crowds to his public meetings since launching the TVK in 2024. (PTI)
A day after stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur on Saturday left 39 dead and over 100 injured, security has been beefed up at actor and party chief Vijay’s residence in Chennai, NDTV quoted government sources as saying.
According to the NDTV report, sources said the move has been necessitated as “people’s anger may turn” towards him.
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Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable actors for three decades, has drawn massive crowds to his public meetings since launching the TVK in 2024, which has targeted both the state ruling party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He is campaigning ahead of state elections that are to be held in early 2026.
Videos from local media show thousands of people surrounding a large campaign vehicle on top of which Vijay is seen standing and speaking, Reuters reported.
During the rally, visuals showed Vijay throwing water bottles from the top of the vehicle to fainting supporters and calling for police help when the crowd became uncontrollable.
“My heart is broken; I am in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow,” Vijay wrote on X. “I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for a speedy recovery for those who are undergoing treatment in the hospital.”
At least 44 doctors from the nearby districts of Tiruchirappalli and Salem were sent to Karur, media reports said.
இதயம் நொறுங்கிப் போய் இருக்கிறேன்; தாங்க முடியாத, வார்த்தைகளால் சொல்ல முடியாத வேதனையிலும் துயரத்திலும் உழன்று கொண்டிருக்கிறேன். கரூரில் உயிரிழந்த எனதருமை சகோதர சகோதரிகளின் குடும்பங்களுக்கு என் ஆழ்ந்த அனுதாபங்களையும், இரங்கலையும் தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன். மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை…
— TVK Vijay (@TVKVijayHQ) September 27, 2025
When asked about the cause of the stampede during a press briefing early on Sunday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said “Tamil Nadu has appointed a commission headed by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the incident and submit a report to the government, after which further action will be taken”.
This is not the first time Vijay’s rallies have faced safety concerns. At least six deaths were reported by media following the first meeting of his political party when it was launched in October last year.
Despite police-imposed restrictions, including limits on convoy size and venue changes, the sheer scale of public turnout has repeatedly overwhelmed local infrastructure.
“The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
With Reuters Inputs
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 28, 2025, 11:32 IST
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