39 dead as stampede hits Vijay’s TVK rally in Tamil Nadu

When Vijay, the beloved Tamil‑film star turned politician, took the stage in Velusamypuram on September 27, 2025, the crowd didn’t just cheer — it crushed. The crush left 39 people dead, including several children, and about 50 more injured, turning a campaign rally for his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), into one of the deadliest political disasters in recent Tamil Nadu history.

• Date: September 27, 2025
• Location: Velusamypuram village, Karur district, Tamil Nadu
• Fatalities: 39 (including children)
• Injured: ~50
• Party: TVK, led by Vijay

Background: Vijay’s rapid rise in Tamil politics

Vijay, whose full name is C. Joseph Vijay, spent more than two decades starring in blockbusters before launching TVK on February 2, 2024. His entry coincided with a wave of film actors entering regional politics, a trend that has reshaped voter loyalties in South India. TVK positions itself as a “people’s victory” platform, promising jobs, better education, and anti‑corruption measures ahead of the state legislative elections slated for early 2026.

The party’s early rallies drew crowds of 10‑15 000, but Vijay’s star power has turned each event into a magnet for fans who treat the gatherings like a concert. That magnetic pull made the September 27 rally a test of whether TVK could manage its own momentum.

The rally and the crush

The event was officially approved for a maximum of 10 000 attendees. Yet, eyewitnesses and police estimates put the actual turnout somewhere between 25 000 and 60 000 people – a six‑fold overload.

According to G. Venkataraman, Director General of Tamil Nadu Police, officers had prepared for “around 20 000” supporters. His deputy, Davidson Devasirvatham, later said the figure was closer to 15 000 and that 500 policemen were on the ground. The discrepancy wasn’t just a numbers game; it meant the difference between a managed crowd and a panicking sea of people. The field in Velusamypuram, a site previously used for smaller political gatherings, was flanked by narrow lanes and a handful of exit points. As the crowd surged forward, “the pressure built like a wave,” recalled a vendor who survived the crush.

The fatal moment came just as Vijay was about to step onto the stage. A bottleneck formed near the main entrance, and people at the front were pushed backward while those at the rear kept moving forward. The resulting crush compressed bodies, stifling breathing and causing a cascade of injuries.

Authorities later described the scene as “chaotic” and “unmanageable,” with emergency services struggling to reach the most affected zones. The local hospital reported that many of the victims suffered asphyxiation and blunt‑force trauma.

Police response and legal action

Within hours of the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu Police filed a criminal case against three senior TVK figures: Bussy Anand, Nirmal Kumar and V.P. Mathiyalagan. Senior police official V. Selvaraj confirmed the registration on September 28, noting that the case cites “negligence in crowd‑control planning and failure to enforce the permitted capacity.”

The police also launched a probe into the venue allocation process. Earlier this year, the state police had rejected organ­izers’ request to hold the rally in the bustling town of Karur, citing “thickly populated business areas” as unsafe. Instead, they assigned the Velusamypuram field, confident it could handle the crowd with proper security deployment – a confidence that proved misplaced.

Legal experts point out that the case could lead to charges under the Indian Penal Code for “culpable homicide not amounting to murder” if it’s shown that the leaders knowingly ignored safety protocols.

Political fallout and election implications

Vijay has not yet addressed the incident publicly, an unusual silence that fuels speculation about his next move. Party insiders say he is consulting with legal counsel while senior leaders scramble to reassure supporters.

Opposition parties, including the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), have seized the moment. The DMK’s spokesperson, M. K. Stalin, called the tragedy “a stark reminder of the dangers of politicising fandom.” The AIADMK, meanwhile, pledged to push for stricter crowd‑control legislation ahead of the 2026 elections.

Election analysts warn that the incident could swing undecided voters. “Safety and governance become front‑page issues after a disaster like this,” says Dr. Priya Menon, a political science professor at the University of Madras. “If TVK can’t demonstrate responsibility, it may lose the momentum it built through Vijay’s celebrity appeal.”

Historical perspective on rally disasters

India has a painful record of crowd‑related tragedies. The 2010 stampede at the Bengaluru music festival, the 2013 stampede in Hyderabad during a religious procession, and the 2020 Patna political rally incident each claimed dozens of lives. In most cases, inadequate planning, overestimation of security personnel, and poor communication were the common threads.

Comparatively, the Velusamypuram crush stands out for the sheer mismatch between the authorized capacity (10 000) and the actual attendance (up to 60 000). The numbers echo the 2015 floods in Chennai, where officials were caught off‑guard by a surge far beyond forecasts. The lesson, echoing across disasters, is that “preparedness must match possibility,” not just probability.

What lies ahead

The investigation is still in its early stages, but several outcomes seem likely. First, the court will decide whether the three senior TVK leaders face arrest. Second, the state government is expected to draft stricter guidelines for political gatherings, potentially lowering the ceiling for permissible crowd sizes unless robust security plans are submitted.

For Vijay, the road ahead is fraught. He can either step back, let his party’s legal team handle the fallout, and return once the dust settles, or he can attempt a public apology and pledge reforms – a move that might salvage some goodwill among his fan‑base. Either way, the tragedy will linger in Tamil Nadu’s collective memory, shaping how political charisma meets public safety for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the stampede affect TVK’s election prospects?

The tragedy has put TVK under intense scrutiny. Voters are now questioning the party’s ability to manage large crowds and ensure safety. If the legal case against senior leaders leads to convictions, it could erode confidence among swing voters, potentially benefiting rival parties in the 2026 state elections.

Who is being held responsible for the overcrowding?

Tamil Nadu police have filed a criminal case against three TVK senior leaders – Bussy Anand, Nirmal Kumar, and V.P. Mathiyalagan – alleging negligence in crowd‑control planning. The investigation also looks at the role of police officials who approved the venue despite the limited capacity.

What safety measures are being proposed for future rallies?

State officials are expected to tighten regulations, requiring detailed crowd‑management plans, increased police deployment proportional to expected attendance, and stricter penalties for organizers who exceed permitted capacities. Some lawmakers have also suggested mandatory real‑time crowd‑density monitoring using drones.

Did Vijay make any public statements after the incident?

As of the latest reports, Vijay has not addressed the crowd crush publicly. Party insiders say he is consulting legal counsel and may issue a statement after the investigation clarifies the facts.

How does this incident compare to past political rally disasters in India?

While India has seen several tragic crowd crushes, the Velusamypuram event is notable for the enormous gap between the authorized capacity (10 000) and the actual attendance (up to 60 000). Similar mismatches contributed to the 2010 Bengaluru festival stampede and the 2020 Patna rally, underscoring a recurring pattern of inadequate planning for massive gatherings.