Tamil Nadu’s government stepped up its response to the tragic stampede at actor and TVK president Vijay’s rally in Karur. On Monday, they named Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Premanandan as the lead investigator to dig deeper into the incident that killed dozens.
The death toll from the Karur stampede climbed to 41 after two more people lost their lives from injuries. Now, 67 others remain in hospitals getting care. The chaos hit Saturday evening in Veluchamipuram, Karur, as thousands of fans rushed to catch a glimpse of Vijay. He had just wrapped up a campaign event in Namakkal and arrived around 7 p.m.
Eyewitnesses described how the huge crowd pushed forward when Vijay showed up, sparking panic. People got crushed or passed out in the crush. Ambulances sped through the night, rushing victims to nearby hospitals.
The latest victims included young Kavin, who fought for his life in intensive care, and local resident Sukuna from Veluchamipuram. Their deaths raised the count from 39 to 41.
Officials swapped out Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Selvaraj—who had started the probe alongside Premanandan—for this fresh leadership. The goal? More independence and faster action in the Tamil Nadu stampede investigation.
The state also pledged a full judicial inquiry to uncover failures in crowd control and rally planning. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin shared his heartbreak, calling it an “unbearable loss for Tamil Nadu.” He said, “We’ve ordered a judicial probe and brought in a senior officer to hold everyone accountable and stop these tragedies from happening again.”
Stalin noted the government is providing compensation to families of those killed in the Vijay rally stampede. They’re also keeping a close watch on the injured.
Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) slammed the government for poor planning. “They knew Vijay’s event would draw massive crowds, but crowd management and security fell short,” EPS said. “The government must own up to these preventable deaths.”
Vijay himself labeled the loss “irreparable” and vowed support for the families. His TVK party announced Rs 20 lakh for each family of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh for the injured. “No words can ease this pain, but I share your grief,” he added.
The Karur stampede has ignited urgent demands from all political sides for tougher safety rules at rallies. With Assembly elections on the horizon, experts say better crowd control could prevent more heartbreak.
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