Actor-Politician Vijay Receives Bomb Threat Amid Row Over Karur Stampede Tragedy

Security has been significantly heightened at the Chennai residence of actor-turned-politician Vijay, following a bomb threat call received just a day after a catastrophic stampede at his political rally in Karur claimed the lives of over 40 people.

The bomb threat was reported on Sunday at the East Coast Road (ECR), Neelankarai residence of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief, prompting a swift and massive police response. A Bomb Disposal Squad, accompanied by sniffer dogs, was immediately deployed to the area to conduct a thorough search of the premises. Officials confirmed that an extensive sweep, both inside and outside the property, was undertaken, but as of the latest reports, no explosive material has been recovered. A detailed investigation into the anonymous threat call is currently underway.

The Karur Tragedy

The security alert comes in the wake of the tragic crowd crush at Vijay's political rally in Karur on Saturday, September 27, which saw the death toll climb to over 40, including women and at least 10 children.{C} The rally, held in the run-up to the next year's Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, was attended by a crowd far exceeding the approved capacity, with estimates suggesting up to 60,000 people were present for an event permitted for roughly 10,000 to 27,000 attendees.

Initial reports from the Tamil Nadu police indicated that the stampede was triggered by a surge in the crowd as Vijay's arrival was significantly delayed—nearly six hours later than the time advertised by the party's social media—leaving attendees restless under the scorching sun without adequate food or water. The congestion and panic, which some witnesses say was exacerbated by a sudden disturbance, led to people collapsing and being trampled.

Political and Legal Fallout

The unprecedented tragedy has ignited a political firestorm and an intense public debate over accountability and rally management.

  • Official Response: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed deep sorrow and announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased. The state government has also constituted a one-member Commission of Inquiry, led by a retired High Court Judge, Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, to probe the incident.

  • TVK's Stand: Vijay, who released a statement saying his heart was "shattered" by the incident, announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹20 lakh to the kin of the deceased and ₹2 lakh to the injured.{C} His party, the TVK, has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and moved the Madras High Court, alleging a conspiracy behind the stampede and seeking a CBI or independent investigation.

  • Police Action: The Karur Town Police have registered an FIR, and a TVK rally organiser has been booked under various sections of the law, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The bomb threat on Sunday is seen as a further alarming development amidst the heightened tensions and scrutiny surrounding the actor-politician and his newly launched party following the fatal Karur incident.{C} Police sources suggest that the increased security at Vijay's residence is also a precautionary measure, fearing that public anger over the tragedy could be directed at him.