MUMBAI — A popular Indian actor-turned-politician ended his silence on Sunday following a stampede at one of his political rallies where 40 people died and more than 100 were injured.
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, known in movies and politics as Vijay, posted on social media that he was at a loss for words to describe the pain that resulted from the chaotic scene during a campaign event the day before in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
“While I express my deepest condolences with indescribable pain to you who are grieving the loss of our cherished loved ones, I also stand close to your hearts, sharing this immense sorrow,” he wrote on X. “This is indeed an irreparable loss for us.”
Mr. Chandrasekhar was addressing a crowd gathered for his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam [TVK] party rally on Saturday ahead of elections that are scheduled for early next year. Local officials estimated that approximately 27,000 people attended the rally, more than twice the number expected.
The crowd had been waiting for hours in the hot sun without sufficient food or water when Mr Chandrasekhar arrived at 7:40 p.m., more than seven hours late. A group of supporters suddenly surged forward in an attempt to get near his bus. According to the Indian Express newspaper, the stampede began after people climbing a tree near the bus fell into the crowd, setting off a panic.
Mr. Chandrasekhar continued addressing the crowds even as ambulances arrived to take the injured to the hospital.
Muthuvel K. Stalin, chief minister of the State of Tamil Nadu, ordered an investigation.
“The truth will come out through the inquiry commission. I do not wish to say anything with a political motive,” Mr. Stalin told reporters. “Once the truth is revealed through the inquiry commission, strict action will definitely be taken.”
The families of those who were killed will receive $1 million from the Indian government, while the injured will be given $1,000 compensation. In his statement, Mr. Chandrasekhar said he would double the amount.
“Never has such a large group of people lost their lives in a program organized by a political party,” Mr. Stalin said. “Such a tragedy should never have happened.”
