Earlier on Wednesday, it came to light that the party had repeatedly violated conditions imposed by authorities to ensure safety during its public meetings.
Published Oct 01, 2025 | 4:39 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 01, 2025 | 4:39 PM
TVK chief Vijay during his rally in Karur. (TVK)
Synopsis: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has announced the postponement of all campaign rallies featuring its founder-chief, actor-politician Vijay, for the next two weeks following the 27 September stampede at Veluchamipuram in Karur that left 41 people dead. The announcement follows revelations of repeated violations of safety and crowd control norms at TVK rallies, with informal roadshows and crowd-related emergencies reported at several previous events.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has announced that all statewide campaign rallies featuring its founder-chief, actor-politician Vijay, scheduled over the next two weeks, have been postponed following the stampede at Veluchamipuram in Karur on September 27 that claimed 41 lives.
“In this context of our grief and sorrow over the loss of our loved ones, our association president’s public meeting scheduled for the next two weeks has been temporarily postponed. With the approval of our association president, we would like to inform you that new details regarding this public meeting will be announced later,” the party said in a statement issued on its official X account on Wednesday, October 1.
It further stated that the revised schedule for the programmes will be released at a later date.
தலைமை நிலையச் செயலக அறிவிப்பு
கழகத் தோழர்களுக்கு வணக்கம்.
நம் சொந்தங்களை இழந்த வேதனையிலும் வருத்தத்திலும் நாம் இருக்கும் இச்சூழலில், நம் கழகத் தலைவர் அவர்களின் அடுத்த இரண்டு வாரங்களுக்கான மக்கள் சந்திப்பு நிகழ்ச்சியானது தற்காலிகமாக ஒத்திவைக்கப்படுகிறது. இந்த மக்கள் சந்திப்பு…
— TVK Party HQ (@TVKPartyHQ) October 1, 2025
The public rally at Veluchamipuram, featuring Vijay as part of the party’s outreach ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, was attended by an estimated 30,000 people, far exceeding the 10,000 expected.
Earlier on Wednesday, it came to light that the party had repeatedly violated conditions imposed by authorities to ensure safety during its public meetings.
One major condition explicitly stated that no roadshows would be permitted under any circumstances. Yet, at all of Vijay’s campaign rallies, informal roadshows have taken place: his vehicle slowed down by fans crowding the roads.
In Karur, too, the same happened. From the moment he entered the district, his vehicle moved slowly forward, with Vijay acknowledging the people. Although he did not step out to greet the crowds, the scene amounted to an unofficial roadshow.
On Tuesday, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, Davidson Devasirvatham IPS said the stampede on September 27 during a TVK public meeting in Karur was not an isolated incident.
Similar crowd-related health emergencies, including heatstroke and injuries, had occurred at at least six to seven previous TVK rallies.
