A massive political rally by Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay ended in tragedy on Saturday evening, September 27, as a sudden crowd surge at the event in Karur district claimed at least 10 lives and left over 30 injured. The victims include women and children, and officials warn the death toll may rise as chaos continues at the scene.

The incident occurred at Velusamypuram on the Karur–Erode highway, where thousands had gathered for Vijay’s "Velicham Veliyeru" (Let There Be Light) campaign. Eyewitnesses said panic broke out around 7:45 pm as the crowd rushed forward to get closer to Vijay, who was addressing the gathering. Barricades collapsed under pressure, and several people fainted in the crush. Children were separated from their families, and some were trampled before police and volunteers could intervene.

Live footage showed Vijay halting his speech, handing out water bottles, and calling for police assistance. At one point, he was seen asking the crowd to help locate a missing child. Ambulances struggled to reach the injured due to the packed grounds, prompting volunteers to form human chains to clear paths.

Officials admitted the crowd far exceeded the approved limit. While permission was granted for around 30,000 attendees, over 60,000 people reportedly arrived, overwhelming the venue. The event had already been shifted from central Karur to Velusamypuram to avoid congestion—yet safety arrangements proved inadequate.

The district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry and is reviewing video footage to determine lapses. The state government is considering a solatium of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Political reactions poured in swiftly. Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to visit Karur, while opposition leaders blamed both the ruling DMK and Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for negligence. TVK leaders expressed sorrow, insisting they had followed police guidelines.

For Vijay, whose rising political clout has drawn comparisons to MGR, the tragedy casts a shadow over his momentum. Experts warn that such celebrity-led rallies must be managed professionally to prevent similar disasters in the future.