• At least 41 people died, including children, during a stampede at Tamil actor Vijay's rally.
• Vijay announced financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for bereaved families and Rs 2 lakh for the injured.
• The incident has led to allegations of political conspiracy and calls for an investigation.

On September 30, a tragic stampede at a political rally organized by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, resulted in **at least 41 fatalities**, many of whom were women and children. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin confirmed that the deceased include eight children and 16 women, with over 60 others hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the chaos. The stampede occurred as Vijay was addressing a massive crowd, leading to panic when supporters rushed to see him, overwhelming the venue's capacity, according to Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and Times of India.

In his response, Vijay expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, stating, "My heart is shattered; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow." He announced **financial support** of **Rs 20 lakh** to families of the deceased and **Rs 2 lakh** to the injured. The event has drawn significant backlash against the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, with criticism targeting their response to the disaster, according to Times of India and Times of India.

The state government has initiated **an inquiry**, appointing a one-member Commission led by retired Judge Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede. Chief Minister Stalin, who visited the site early Sunday, expressed his condolences and announced relief measures to support the families affected by the disaster, according to Times of India and Times of India.

The tragedy has sparked allegations of a **political conspiracy**, with Vijay claiming that external factors influenced the turnout and organization of the rally. In the wake of the incident, many political officials, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union ministers, have reached out to offer condolences and support for the affected families while also demanding accountability and safety measures to prevent future occurrences, as reported by Times of India and Times of India.