Letter reveals TVK expected 10,000 at Karur rally; Massive turnout triggers chaos

 

Karur, TN: Just days before a stampede unfolded at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay’s rally in Karur, the party had officially informed the police that only around 10,000 people were expected to attend the event, according to a letter submitted to the authorities. Mathrubhumi is trying to independently verify the authenticity of the letter.

Despite the modest crowd projection, the rally, held in a venue spread across 1,20,000 square feet with a capacity for up to 60,000 people, saw a massive turnout that overwhelmed the arrangements. The surge led to multiple attendees fainting, and several rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention.

The party’s request letter, dated September 25, 2025, included an engineer’s certificate and venue map confirming crowd capacity and safety compliance for the event, which was scheduled between 3 pm and 10 pm on September 27. However, the situation turned chaotic during the rally as crowd control efforts failed to match the scale of the actual turnout.

Many who swooned at the massive rally addressed by Vijay were rushed in ambulances. Vijay himself offered water bottles to those who fainted before resuming his speech.

State Health Minister Ma Subramanian told ANI over the phone that more than 10 people were brought dead to the hospital. He added that the exact number of casualties will be confirmed shortly.

Following the Chief Minister M K Stalin's directive, DMK district secretary and former minister Senthil Balaji immediately headed to the hospital to oversee relief measures. State Health Minister Ma Subramanian is also en route to the hospital, where the injured are being treated.

In a post on X, CM Stalin stated, "I have contacted former Minister @V_Senthilbalaji, Honorable Minister @Subramanian_Ma and the District Collector to provide immediate treatment to the public who have fainted and been admitted to the hospital due to the crowding."

(with inputs from PTI & ANI)