Man's Death at TVK Rally in Salem Ignites Political Storm Over Safety
The tragic death of a 37-year-old man during a rally organized by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Salem on Friday has triggered intense political exchanges, with rival parties launching scathing attacks on the outfit over alleged failures in crowd safety protocols.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The deceased, identified as Suraj, was a native of Maharashtra who had been residing in Salem. According to reports from the news agency PTI, Suraj fainted after complaining of severe chest pain while waiting at the rally venue. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead upon arrival.
Preliminary police investigations revealed that Suraj had a pre-existing heart condition and had previously undergone an angioplasty procedure. Authorities confirmed that the unfortunate incident occurred even before TVK chief Vijay arrived for the scheduled district functionaries' meeting.
Political Reactions and Accusations
The death prompted swift and sharp reactions from political opponents, who seized the opportunity to criticize the TVK's organizational capabilities.
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) spokesperson Kovai Sathyan delivered a particularly biting remark in a post on social media platform X, suggesting that future attendees of TVK rallies might "have to carry their own coffin along" due to safety concerns.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) joined the criticism through its youth wing leader Vinoj P Selvam, who alleged that the incident highlighted a disturbing pattern of negligence toward cadre safety. "It would not have mattered if it happened inadvertently for the first time. But the mistake is recurring," Selvam stated in his social media post.
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) echoed similar concerns, with spokesperson A Saravanan questioning how many more lives would be lost before the upcoming assembly elections. Saravanan specifically claimed that basic arrangements such as adequate shelter and drinking water facilities were insufficient at the rally venue.
Additional Tensions and Party Response
Later in the day, tensions escalated further when a scuffle broke out between journalists and TVK cadres at the scene. Journalists covering the incident alleged that party workers attempted to physically attack them while they were performing their professional duties.
However, a source within the TVK provided a different perspective to PTI, stating that the party had previously appealed to both its cadres and members of the public who were unwell to refrain from attending the meeting. The source emphasized that Suraj's death was an unfortunate medical incident and was not linked to any lapse in organizational arrangements.
This rally marked a significant public gathering for the TVK since the tragic September 2025 stampede in Karur, which claimed 41 lives. The latest incident has reignited debates about political party responsibility during large-scale public events and the adequacy of emergency medical provisions at such gatherings.
