3 min readNew DelhiFeb 13, 2026 04:57 PM IST
Months after more than 40 people lost their lives at Vijay’s TVK rally in Karur, another tragedy struck on Friday at the actor-turned-politician’s political rally in Salem, Tamil Nadu. A 37-year-old fan, identified as Suraj, collapsed during the rally and was declared dead after being taken to hospital. According to ANI, Suraj was a resident of Maharashtra and a huge Vijay fan.
Police officials told the news agency, “During the event, he suddenly collapsed. He was rushed for medical assistance but was declared dead, reportedly due to a heart attack. Further inquiries are being conducted into the incident.”
Initial reports had suggested that the death may have been caused by crowd congestion. However, authorities have said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.
Several videos from the rally have since gone viral on social media. While many fans praised Vijay, other clips showed chaotic scenes. In one video, dozens of bikers were seen following the actor’s convoy as he waved at them and gestured for them to be careful.
When Vijay reached the venue, hundreds of supporters reportedly mobbed his car, bringing it to a halt. Police personnel were seen struggling to control the crowd as his security team attempted to shield him. Another video showed traffic coming to a standstill after fans surrounded his vehicle.
The incident comes months after a stampede at Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur last year claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 injured. The tragedy occurred after a massive crowd surged forward to catch a glimpse of the actor.
Story continues below this ad
Following that incident, several TVK members were booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on charges including culpable homicide, attempt to culpable homicide, and endangering life. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had also questioned Vijay in connection with the case.
Since then, the actor has remained in the headlines — first over the Karur tragedy and later due to a tussle with the censor board over his upcoming film Jana Nayagan, which was initially slated for a January 9 release but is yet to secure a confirmed release date.
Leave a Reply