At least 39 people died and 56 were injured in a stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday evening. Vijay announced an ex gratia of ₹20 lakh for the families of the deceased. He also promised ₹2 lakh to those injured.
Vijay Expresses Grief
Terming the incident an “irreparable loss”, Vijay wrote on X, “The faces of all of you whom I have met keep flashing through my mind. The more I think of my loved ones who show affection and care, the more my heart slips further from its place.”
JUST IN: கரூர் துயர சம்பவம் தொடர்பாக, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதி தண்டபாணி இல்லத்திற்கு தவெக தரப்பு நேரில் சென்று முறையீடு.
சிபிஐ அல்லது சிறப்பு புலனாய்வுக் குழு விசாரணைக்கு உத்தரவிட வேண்டும் என அதிகாரப்பூர்வ கோரிக்கை. #TVKVijay @actorvijay @TVKVijayHQ
— Actor Vijay Team (@ActorVijayTeam) September 28, 2025
He added, “My heart and mind are overwhelmed with profound heaviness. In the midst of the immense grief of losing our loved ones, I am at a loss for words to express the pain my heart endures. My eyes and mind are clouded with sorrow.”
Tamil Nadu Government Announces Relief
The Tamil Nadu government offered ₹10 lakh for each family of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for the injured.
Chief Minister MK Stalin said, “In the history of our state, never has such a large number of people lost their lives in a program organised by a political party, and such a tragedy should never happen in the future either.”
He also announced the formation of an inquiry commission led by a retired high court judge to probe the stampede.
Prime Minister Modi Announces Ex Gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh from PMNRF for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
The PMO posted on X, “PM Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF to be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the unfortunate incident at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The injured would be given ₹50,000.”
PM Modi had earlier expressed condolences, “The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured.”
Crowd and Rally Details
Police said the rally was scheduled to start at 3 pm, but Vijay arrived at 7:30 pm. The delay caused the crowd to swell. Nearly three times as many people showed up as the ground was planned for.
The venue lacked enough food and water for people waiting under the hot sun. Crowds began arriving as early as 11 am, while the rally was planned from 3 pm to 10 pm.
A top police official said, “By the time Vijay arrived at 7:40 pm, the crowd had already been waiting for hours without sufficient food and water. That is the reality.”
