Watchful eyes: Police officers standing guard at the site of the stampede in the Karur district of Tamil Nadu. — Reuters
Police registered a criminal case against leaders of Tamil actor Vijay’s political party after a stampede at his rally killed at least 39 people, including children, a senior police official said.
Over 50 others were injured in last Saturday’s stampede in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, where Vijay was campaigning for his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party ahead of state elections early next year.
Tamil Nadu police filed the case yesterday, the first step toward potential charges “against TVK party senior leaders Bussy Anand, Nirmal Kumar and VP Mathiyalagan, and the investigation is underway,” senior police official V. Selvaraj said.
“TVK originally sought permission for a gathering of 10,000 people, but the actual crowd was more than double,” he said.
Ma Subramanian, the state’s health minister, earlier said the victims were dead by the time they were taken to a hospital and that the injured were stable.
The rally, which officials say was attended by tens of thousands of people, was being addressed by Vijay, one of Tamil Nadu’s most successful actors-turned-politician in the district of Karur.
Indian media reports, quoting local officials, said as Vijay spoke to the surging crowd, a group of his supporters and fans fell while trying to get close to his bus, causing the stampede.
Supporters had gathered at the political rally amid intensely hot temperatures and Vijay arrived hours late, officials said.
“There was indiscipline” at the rally, Subramanian said, adding that an investigation had been ordered.
Quoting officials, the Press Trust of India news agency earlier reported that at least 30 people fainted while Vijay was addressing the rally from atop his campaign vehicle and were rushed in ambulances to area hospitals.
He halted his speech midway when workers raised alarm after noticing that people were fainting and falling, it said, adding that as they were removed to hospitals, Vijay continued his speech.
However, he ended his speech shortly after sensing an abnormal situation in a section of the huge gathering, the news agency said.
Hours after the accident, Vijay offered his condolences.
“My heart is shattered,” he posted on X.
“I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “unfortunate incident” was “deeply saddening”.
“My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time.
“Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured,” he said on social media.
In southern Indian states, particularly Tamil Nadu, some film stars have larger than life status, rooted in the ancient Tamil culture of hero worship and image worship.
Many have become politicians and some have even been given divine status.
In 2024, Vijay retired from acting and launched his own political party.
It was unclear whether he plans to run for office in Tamil Nadu state. — AP/Reuters
