A tragic stampede at actor Vijay’s political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has claimed 40 lives, leaving families heartbroken and officials scrambling for answers. The incident unfolded Saturday evening during a massive gathering for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, where overcrowding sparked chaos and panic.
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram voiced his deep sorrow over the Karur stampede on Sunday, pointing fingers at poor planning. Speaking to reporters in Madurai, he said, “It’s deeply saddening and painful. These crowd crushes keep happening in India because organizers get negligent.” Chidambaram highlighted the TVK’s lack of experienced second-tier leaders and administrators as a key reason for the disaster. “They have strong public support—no doubt about that,” he added. “But I question if they have real leadership.” He noted that police deployment details would emerge from the ongoing inquiry.
Union Minister L Murugan echoed the grief, offering condolences to the victims’ families. In Madurai, he told the media that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had reached out to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, promising full central government support. “We’re ready to help however needed,” Murugan said, adding that officials would face questions over the lapses.
The rally turned deadly when the huge crowd surged, causing people to faint and trample one another. Sources blame overcrowding at the venue for the panic. Many injured rushed to nearby hospitals, with the death toll climbing steadily to 40 by Sunday.
Tamil Nadu’s government moved quickly to investigate. Retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan, named to lead a one-member commission of inquiry, arrived in Karur from Trichy airport that evening. “This commission will uncover the shortcomings,” she told reporters briefly. “We must prevent such tragedies in the future and fix what’s broken.”
Chief Minister MK Stalin shared his raw emotions in a heartfelt X post about the Karur tragedy. “The tears of the families who lost loved ones all night, and their grief-stricken cries, weigh heavy on my heart,” he wrote. Stalin announced immediate relief: Rs 10 lakh compensation for each family of the deceased, and Rs 1 lakh for those receiving hospital treatment. His words captured the widespread pain rippling through Tamil Nadu after this shocking event.
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