40 Dead in Crowd Crush at Politician Vijay’s Rally in Tamil Nadu

Karur, Tamil Nadu — A tragic crowd crush at a political rally for actor-turned-politician Vijay led to the deaths of 40 people on Saturday. The incident occurred during a campaign event in the Karur district, where tens of thousands had gathered to hear the famed actor speak.

Witnesses reported that the crush began unexpectedly as Vijay addressed the crowd. Eyewitnesses indicated that the size of the audience far exceeded expectations and that safety protocols may not have been followed adequately by the rally organizers, who belong to Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin confirmed that among the deceased were nine children, as well as numerous women and men, with 51 others receiving treatment for injuries. “The impacts of this tragedy are immense, and we must learn from this incident,” he stated.

The police are investigating the matter and have filed a case against three senior members of the TVK party related to potential charges of homicide and negligence. V Selvaraj, a senior police officer, indicated that the problem arose when the rally organizers anticipated a turnout of about 10,000 people, but the crowd doubled in size.

Vijay, widely beloved as Ilaya Thalapathy, has enjoyed a successful career in film and has recently transitioned into politics, aiming to leverage his fame and connect with voters. The event’s chaotic conditions have triggered a blame game, with opposition political figures accusing state authorities of failing to maintain public safety.

Despite calls for accountability, Vijay reportedly left the scene following the incident, which has sparked outrage among victims’ families and supporters. “His absence at this time of need is troubling to many,” said Anbarasan Ethirajan, a BBC Global Affairs reporter.

The rally attendees had been eagerly anticipating Vijay’s appearance, exemplifying his lasting popularity in Tamil Nadu. Historical comparisons have been drawn between the crowd’s enthusiasm for Vijay and the fervor seen during past political campaigns in the region, notably those of former chief ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.

Following the incident, the government announced a one-member inquiry commission to determine the cause of the crush, promising to deliver findings within two months. Meanwhile, Vijay has expressed his sorrow over the event and pledged financial compensation to the victims’ families.

As the inquiry progresses, many questions remain about the accountability of both the rally organizers and governmental bodies, and whether this would impact Vijay’s burgeoning political career.