At least 40 dead in crush at political rally in India

By Admin

30 Sep, 2025

A political rally in Tamil Nadu turned into a tragedy on Saturday when a massive crowd surge claimed the lives of at least 40 people in the southern Karur district. The event, organized by actor-turned-politician Vijay and his TVK party, saw tens of thousands of supporters gather far exceeding the originally approved limit.

What Happened

According to officials, TVK had sought permission for a gathering of 10,000 people, but police estimated the turnout to be more than double that figure. The situation spiraled out of control when Vijay was addressing the crowd, leading to a sudden surge that forced him to stop his speech. Local media reported that the rally was delayed for several hours, and distressing visuals showed people fainting in the overcrowded grounds.

The Scale of the Tragedy

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin confirmed that the victims included nine children, 17 women, and 13 men. Another 51 people are being treated in hospitals across the state. "The scale of the crowd was far beyond expectations," said senior police official V Selvaraj, who confirmed that cases have been filed against three senior TVK party members for potential charges including homicide and negligent conduct.

Human Stories from the Ground

For many families, the rally ended in personal heartbreak. One grieving man told ANI that his brother’s two sons had attended the event. “The elder one passed away, the younger one is missing. My sister-in-law is in the ICU. What should I do?” he said, his voice breaking with anguish.

Responses from Leaders

Actor-politician Vijay expressed his sorrow in an online statement, writing that his heart was “broken” and he was in “unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow.” He extended his “deepest sympathies and condolences” to the families of those who lost their lives and offered prayers for the recovery of the injured.

Chief Minister Stalin announced a compensation of one million rupees ($11,300; £8,400) to each family of the deceased and ordered a formal inquiry into the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, describing the tragedy as “unfortunate” and “deeply saddening” in a post on X.

A Pattern of Deadly Crushes in India

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Deadly crushes have occurred repeatedly across India, often during religious gatherings, political rallies, or sporting events. Earlier this year, similar tragedies unfolded at the Kumbh Mela festival and outside a cricket stadium, raising urgent questions about crowd management and safety measures at large public gatherings.

The Road Ahead

As investigations continue, this incident underscores the critical importance of better planning, strict enforcement of crowd limits, and improved safety infrastructure for mass events in India. For now, however, the people of Karur and indeed the entire state of Tamil Nadu are left mourning a preventable tragedy that has cut short too many lives.