Stampede at Thalapathy Vijay Tamil Nadu Rally – 39 Dead, Police File Case Against TVK Leaders (28 Sept 2025)

Stampede at Thalapathy Vijay’s Tamil Nadu Rally: Police File Case Against Party Leaders

On 27 September 2025, a political rally of Tamil superstar-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay in Karur district, Tamil Nadu turned tragic when a massive crowd surge triggered a stampede, killing at least 39 people and injuring over 50 others. The event was organized by Vijay’s party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), which had official permission for around 10,000 supporters, but the crowd nearly doubled that figure, overwhelming safety measures and exit routes. Officials said the venue lacked adequate entry and exit points, and the rally began after a 6–7 hour delay, leaving thousands waiting in sweltering heat without enough water or food. When Vijay finally arrived, excitement and exhaustion combined to spark chaos, leading to the deadly surge.

Tamil Nadu police have filed a criminal case against three senior TVK leaders — Bussy Anand, Nirmal Kumar, and V. P. Mathiyalagan — under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence in public safety. A judicial commission has also been ordered to investigate the tragedy and examine failures in security, crowd management, and event planning.

TVK expressed sorrow over the deaths but alleged a “planned conspiracy”, saying it will demand an independent probe, possibly by the CBI, as the party believes state police cannot impartially investigate. Thalapathy Vijay himself offered condolences on social media and pledged ₹20 lakh (about USD 24,000) for each victim’s family and ₹2 lakh for the injured, while the Tamil Nadu government separately announced ₹10 lakh for the deceased and ₹1 lakh for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other national leaders also expressed sympathies to the bereaved families.

This disaster once again highlights India’s struggle to manage large political gatherings where crowd sizes often exceed official permits and emergency infrastructure remains inadequate. Experts stress that future rallies must strictly enforce attendance limits, strengthen medical and security measures, and ensure timely communication to prevent overcrowding. For Vijay and TVK, the coming weeks will bring intense legal and political scrutiny, and the judicial commission’s findings could significantly shape both the party’s credibility and Vijay’s rising political career.