Could the stampede in Tamil Nadu's Karur been prevented and 39 lives, including those of 10 children, be saved? The answer is a tragic "Yes". Vijay and his team knew for years, as they were planning his political plunge, that fan frenzy and stampedes were big risks they had to deal with. One of Vijay's closest aides had told India Today Digital about it way back in February 2024—that's over 1.5 years ago.

Because of the size and density of the population and the urge to amass, stampede remains a risk in everyday life in India. Celebrities and politicians are aware of this, and need to be extra careful that they don't turn catalysts for melees.

"In a way that defies imagination, thinking about what happened in Karur yesterday ...," Vijay posted on X on Sunday, a day after the stampede

See Full Page