What was intended to be a significant campaign event for Tamil superstar-turned-politician Vijay in Karur transformed into a night filled with chaos and sorrow. On Saturday, a combination of errors and inadequate crowd management resulted in a catastrophic stampede that has now taken 39 lives, including 10 children and 17 women. Eyewitnesses and officials indicate that several factors contributed to the tragedy. Vijay’s campaign vehicle reportedly kept its windows closed, leading to frustration among fans who had followed him from the nearby city of Namakkal. Organisers allegedly made incorrect announcements, exacerbating the confusion among the thousands present. Amid the turmoil, a tree branch fell on parts of the crowd, triggering panic that quickly escalated into a stampede.
The mood in Karur has shifted from celebration to mourning. Families are grieving their loved ones, and the town is reeling from the magnitude of the disaster. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin rushed to Karur late that night, visiting hospitals and families in mourning. He announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim’s family before returning to Chennai the following morning. Most post-mortem examinations for the victims have been completed, with bodies returned to relatives. Meanwhile, Vijay returned to Chennai quietly after the incident, raising questions about how this disaster may affect his political future. His political entry had sparked significant excitement, but this tragedy has cast a pall over his campaign.
Many are now questioning whether the actor-turned-leader can recover from this setback and what actions he will take to restore the trust of his supporters. With an official inquiry underway, the Karur stampede has evolved beyond a mere political misstep—it has become a critical test of accountability, leadership, and Vijay’s capacity to confront the challenges of his new political journey.
