TVK Karur West Secretary Arrested Over Deadly Rally Stampede Incident

Police in Tamil Nadu arrested V P Mathyiyalagan, the Karur West district secretary of actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), late Monday in connection with the deadly stampede at the party's rally in Velusamypuram on September 27. The incident, which claimed 41 lives—including a 60-year-old woman who succumbed to injuries Monday—and injured over 60 others, has drawn intense scrutiny to crowd management lapses during Vijay's high-profile event.

Mathyiyalagan, apprehended near the Karur-Dindigul border, is the first TVK office-bearer taken into custody, with authorities probing allegations of negligence that turned a celebratory gathering into a tragedy. The FIR also implicates TVK state general secretary Bussy Anand and deputy general secretary Nirmal Kumar, signalling a broader investigation into the party's organisational failures.

The charges against the trio invoke serious provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 105 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, Section 110 for attempt to commit culpable homicide, Section 125 for endangering the life of others, and Section 223 for disobedience to public servant orders. Additionally, they face Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992, for alleged damage to public assets during the chaos.

According to the FIR lodged at the Velusamypuram police station, TVK chief Vijay's "deliberate" late arrival exacerbated overcrowding, leaving thousands restless in sweltering heat without adequate controls. Party functionaries reportedly ignored police directives on regulating entry, allowing cadres to climb tin sheets, tree branches, and makeshift structures, which collapsed and triggered a crush where many suffocated or were trampled.

TVK, founded by Vijay in February 2024 as a platform blending populism with anti-corruption rhetoric, has surged in Tamil Nadu's polarised politics, drawing massive youth crowds akin to his blockbuster films like Master (2021). The rally, part of a statewide tour to build momentum ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, was intended to showcase the party's grassroots appeal in rural Karur—a BJP stronghold.

However, the stampede exposed vulnerabilities in managing Vijay's star power, echoing past incidents like the 2023 actor-fan frenzy at a Chennai event. Eyewitnesses described scenes of desperation, with families torn apart amid poor ventilation and narrow access points at the venue, a makeshift pandal near a temple. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin ordered a magisterial inquiry last week, while Vijay postponed subsequent rallies, issuing a public apology and pledging Rs 5 lakh compensation per family.

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As condolences mount—Governor RN Ravi termed it a "heartbreaking loss"—the arrests intensify pressure on TVK's nascent structure. With elections looming, the probe could reshape alliances, particularly Vijay's overtures to the DMK-led front. Police anticipate questioning Anand and Kumar soon, while forensic teams analyse venue layouts for systemic flaws. This tragedy not only mourns the victims—mostly women and children from nearby villages—but also spotlights the perils of charisma-driven politics in India's vibrant democracy, urging stricter event protocols nationwide.

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