It is difficult not to feel shock and sorrow at the avoidable loss of 39 lives in the ghastly stampede that swept through a rally of Tamil film star-politician Vijay in Karur. As the leader of the recently launched party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the actor has drawn massive crowds to his rallies in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly election. His latest road show descended into deadly chaos on Saturday as waves of fans, including a large number of women, many carrying young children, thronged the venue for hours in the hope of catching a close glimpse of the 51-year-old actor.

It is an unspeakable tragedy that at least 10 children and 17 women were among those who lost their lives in the stampede, and the unusual profile of the........

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