Karur, 27 Sept (H.S.): Families of the 41 people killed in the crowd crush at Vijay’s rally in Karur are observing its first anniversary on Sunday, as survivors and residents recall a night that left more than 100 others injured.

The gathering at Velusamypuram on September 27, 2025, had drawn supporters of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from the morning. Some had brought their children. They waited for hours, hoping to see the actor turned politician when he arrived.

By the evening, the crowd had grown dense. As Vijay’s campaign vehicle reached the area, people surged towards it. Some fell and were trapped under others, while those nearby struggled to pull them free.

Police and members of the public took the injured to hospitals. Families searching for relatives moved between the rally site and hospital wards as the scale of the tragedy emerged. Among the 41 dead were children.

For those who lost relatives, the anniversary recalls the hours spent waiting for news and the moment they learned that a family member would not return home. Survivors continue to live with the memory of the crush and its aftermath.

The deaths raised questions about the suitability of the venue, crowd movement and safety arrangements. Political parties have disputed who was responsible. The Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the incident and appointed a committee to oversee the probe.

The government then in office and TVK announced financial assistance for bereaved families.

Vijay, now Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, visited Karur on July 10, 2026. He met victims’ families, handed government job appointment orders to some relatives and announced plans for a memorial in the city.

A year after the rally, families are remembering the people they lost while awaiting the memorial promised in their name.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman