A stampede at actor Vijay's rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, resulted in 39 deaths and 50 injuries. The incident occurred due to an uncontrollable crowd. The government has demanded ₹10 lakh compensation, an inquiry commission, and a report.
Tamil Nadu Rally Stampede: The stampede that occurred during actor Vijay's rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has shocked the entire nation. In this tragic incident, 39 people have died so far, and over 50 have been injured. The situation deteriorated as the crowd became uncontrollable, leading to chaos in the ground within moments. This incident has not only raised questions about the event's arrangements but has also compelled both the state and central governments to take immediate action.
How the Karur Rally Incident Unfolded
The rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, was scheduled to start at 3 PM and continue until 10 PM. However, people began arriving at the ground as early as 11 AM. The venue had a capacity for 10,000 people, but approximately 30,000 were present. For several hours, people waited for actor Vijay, hungry and thirsty. When Vijay finally arrived around 7:40 PM, the crowd became uncontrollable, leading to a stampede.
Casualties and Injuries
A total of 39 people, including 17 women, died in the stampede. Additionally, over 50 people were injured, with many reported to be in critical condition. Officials stated that the number of deceased and injured could rise as some individuals are still hospitalized in serious condition.
Situation Before the Stampede
As the crowd swelled, the situation in the ground spiraled out of control. Actor Vijay attempted to calm the crowd and even distributed water bottles to help thirsty attendees. However, during this, chaos erupted, and the situation became unmanageable. Video footage indicates that Vijay himself felt uneasy due to the crowd and had to stop his speech midway.
Lapses in Event Management
G. Venkataraman, DGP In-charge of Tamil Nadu, stated that organizers expected around 10,000 people to attend the rally. However, over 27,000 people arrived at the venue. Organizers and the police lacked adequate arrangements to manage such a large crowd. This inadequacy led to minor pushes and shoves escalating into a deadly stampede.
Ministry of Home Affairs Demands Report
Following the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs has requested a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu government. The Ministry has questioned why security arrangements were insufficient for such a large crowd and what precautionary measures were taken to prevent the tragedy. It is likely that actor Vijay and leaders of his party, TVK, will also be interrogated during the investigation.
Chief Minister Stalin's Stance
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He stated that the tragedy would be thoroughly investigated, and the culprits would not be spared. The Chief Minister has formed a one-member judicial commission, which will be headed by retired High Court Judge Aruna Jagadeesan.
Compensation for Victim Families
The Chief Minister has announced a relief package to assist the victim families. Families of the deceased will receive ₹10 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Additionally, the injured will be compensated with ₹1 lakh. The severely injured will receive free medical treatment from the government.
Political Fallout
This incident has now become a subject of political debate. Opposition parties have questioned how the administration allowed 30,000 people to enter when the venue's capacity was only 10,000. This negligence is being termed a serious lapse. Questions are also being raised about Vijay and his party, TVK, regarding whether they took adequate steps for crowd management.
Role of the Inquiry Commission
The judicial commission will investigate the entire incident. The commission will examine where errors occurred in the event's planning and what measures can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. The commission is expected to submit its report within 3 months.
