Sadly, this is not an isolated event. Stampedes in India have become tragically routine—caused by overcrowding, mismanagement, and a lack of emergency planning—proving again that human life is cheap by those who matter
The tragic stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu has left at least 39 people dead, including 10 children, and more than 80 injured, according to official reports. The disaster, rooted in crowd mismanagement, poor planning, the absence of basic facilities and complete lack of apathy on the part of high and mighty for fellow humans, is yet another reminder of how preventable tragedies continue to claim lives at large public gatherings in India.
Organizers had sought permission for 10,000 attendees, but more than 50,000 people turned up, many waiting for hours under the scorching sun with little access to food or water. The surge began after TVK’s social media handles announced Vijay’s arrival at 12 pm. In reality, he arrived only at 7:40 pm, by which time chaos had already built up since thousands began crowding the venue from late morning. Vijay is facing criticism, and rightly so
The venue itself was problematic. Authorities allocated a 1.2 lakh sq. ft ground—previously used for a major AIADMK rally—despite TVK requesting smaller venues. When the crowd swelled, Vijay was forced to cut his speech short as people, including children, collapsed from exhaustion.
Security arrangements were also glaringly inadequate. Only about 500 police personnel were deployed, since assigning more would have reduced available space. Officials had earlier cautioned organizers about possible risks, but their warnings went unheeded. The choice of a public road further complicated crowd control. With Tamil Nadu heading to polls next year, a political blame game has already begun.
But beyond rhetoric, the Karur stampede underscores the chronic negligence of political leaders and event managers who repeatedly gamble with public safety at mass gatherings.
Sadly, this is not an isolated event. Stampedes in India have become tragically routine—caused by overcrowding, mismanagement, and a lack of emergency planning, proving time and again that human life is cheap for those who matter.
Just months earlier, Bengaluru saw a horrific crush during RCB’s IPL victory parade at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Eleven fans died when a temporary slab over a drain collapsed under crowd pressure. FIRs were filed against organizers, but the outrage quickly faded, as it often does.
A deadly stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on February 15 night claimed at least 18 lives, including three children. Many others were injured in the unexpected rush of passengers trying to board trains for the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
India’s history is scarred with such disasters: over 140 devotees killed at Himachal’s Naina Devi temple in 2008, more than 110 lives lost in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratangarh during a 2013 Dussehra festival, and countless others across decades.
Despite repeated tragedies, authorities continue to underestimate crowd sizes, cut corners on safety, and ignore lessons from past disasters. Whether political, religious, or celebratory, mass events in India too often end in death—a systemic failure that turns gatherings of joy or hope into sites of mourning.
