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Artists, Intellectuals Demand Legal Action After Karur Stampede
Artists and public intellectuals in Tamil Nadu have called for strict legal action against actor-politician Vijay after a stampede at his rally in Karur left dozens dead and many injured. The crowd crush occurred on 27 September 2025 during a campaign event.
Petition Filed in Madras High Court
The tragedy is now being legally challenged. A writ petition filed in the Madras High Court accuses the state government of shielding Vijay from criminal proceedings. While police have named several leaders of Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in the FIR, Vijay’s name is missing despite his presence at the event.
Alleged Organisational Failures
Petitioners point to alleged organisational failures — delayed arrival by Vijay, absence of basic amenities, overcrowding, and inadequate crowd control — as contributing causes of the stampede. They urge the court to bar further public roadshows until proper safety protocols are enforced.
Death Toll and Inquiry
The death toll has been reported at 39, with over 50 injured, according to police sources. A judicial inquiry has been initiated, and senior party leaders have been booked under sections relating to culpable homicide and endangering life.
State Government’s Response
State officials, however, defend the security arrangements, stating that permissions, crowd estimates, and police deployments were made in advance. They claim generating videos and logs show that some distress in the crowd began before the event formally started.
Call for Accountability
The legal efforts now seek to expand accountability to include all responsible actors and to push for more stringent regulation of large public gatherings.
