Tragedy at Vijay's Rally: 40 Dead in Tamil Nadu Stampede as DMK MP Kanimozhi Criticizes Actor-Politician

DMK MP Kanimozhi speaks to NDTV

A day after 40 people lost their lives and nearly 100 were injured in a stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur district, DMK MP Kanimozhi criticized the popular actor-turned-politician.

"We did not run away," stated Kanimozhi, seemingly implying that the actor-politician was absent when the tragedy occurred.

State police chief G Venkataraman explained that crowds had been waiting for extended periods under intense heat without adequate food and water after being informed that Vijay would arrive at the venue by noon.

"The crowds started coming in from 11 am. He came at 7:40 pm. The people lacked sufficient food and water under the hot sun," he informed reporters.

He further mentioned that while 10,000 people were expected, approximately 27,000 actually attended.

During the event, there were multiple instances of people fainting. Observing this, Vijay paused his speech. Social media videos showed him throwing water bottles to supporters shortly before panic erupted.

Realizing the situation was becoming unmanageable, Vijay abbreviated his speech and departed. The actor left for Trichy airport following the rally and flew to Chennai via private aircraft.

Hours after the incident, Vijay expressed his condolences.

"My heart is shattered," he posted on X. "I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express."

Chief Minister MK Stalin, who hurried to Karur past midnight, conveyed profound distress and emphasized that such a tragedy should never recur. He announced that a judicial commission, headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, will examine the incident.

"Insensitive to blame anyone. The Chief Minister has also said this. A Commission is here, and we should leave it to them. We should now look for the safety of the people," emphasized Kanimozhi.

Meanwhile, Vijay's party, the TVK, has claimed a DMK conspiracy behind the stampede and has approached the Madras High Court with a petition requesting the court to establish a Special Investigation Team or transfer the case to the central agency CBI.

"There was a conspiracy, a criminal conspiracy in the incident at Karur, so we requested the honourable high court to investigate the matter independently, not by a state agency," Arivazhagan, the state coordinator of TVK's legal wing, told NDTV.

Vijay, who abandoned his acting career last year to enter politics, has been touring throughout the state and will cover all 38 districts through public meetings. Events during the tour will primarily be held on Saturdays, with only one program scheduled for a Sunday.