The stampede at the Karur rally organized by actor-politician Vijay has left a trail of devastation, with stories emerging that paint a grim picture. The tragic event resulted in the loss of 40 lives, encompassing individuals from diverse age groups, including children, adolescents, and the elderly. Among the victims was 18-month-old Hari Vishnu, who was the youngest person to have died in the stampede. His father is trying to come to terms with the devastating loss, while his mother is visibly distraught. Vishnu was taken to the rally by his aunt, a resident of Velusamy Nagar, Karur. The main road in Velusamy Nagar was overwhelmed with a massive crowd. Jayashree, Vishnu’s grandmother, recounted the heartbreaking experience, stating that her entire family, who attended the rally, were at the government hospital. It was at the hospital where she discovered that her grandson had passed away. The family found out about his death when they saw him on television.
The rally ground, scattered with shoes and party flags, evokes the horrifying scene of the day. Among the 40 casualties were 17 women and nine children, along with a couple who were planning to marry in October. The stampede also claimed the life of a sole breadwinner of a two-year-old’s family and infants like Vishnu, who died leaving behind grieving families. The stampede at actor Vijay’s Karur rally started due to his late arrival, about six hours after the scheduled time. Over 25,000 people had already gathered when he arrived. The crowd became uncontrollable upon his arrival, culminating in the stampede. The inadequate organization by his party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), combined with the lack of police officers to manage the large crowd, were contributing factors to the chaos.
