Tamil Nadu: Heat Stroke Kills Man At Actor Vijay's Rally, AIADMK Responds With 'coffin Dance' Jab

Chennai: An unfortunate incident has occurred at a public rally attended by actor-turned-politician Vijay. The Tamilga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) held a public rally at the KVP Grounds near Seelanaickenpatti in Tamil Nadu's Salem district. During the rally, a man fainted during TVK chief Vijay's address. The man was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

What happened at Vijay's rally?

Actor Vijay concluded his speech by stating that the contest in the upcoming assembly elections was between the pure strength of the Tamil Nadu Victory Party and the evil forces of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. During the rally, a young man named Suraj, who was attending the rally, fainted. Shocked, TVK members administered first aid and rushed him to the hospital. Police investigations revealed that the young man, a resident of Maharashtra, had suffered a seizure due to standing outside for too long. He died after being treated by doctors. This incident has shocked TVK members.

What did the TVK say?

TVK leader Nirmal Kumar took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and identified the victim as Suraj, informing that he collapsed suddenly due to ill health while attending the TVK meeting.

“He was immediately given first aid, and the organisers rushed him to the hospital in time. However, Suraj’s death due to a heart attack is heartbreaking,” Nirmal Kumar wrote.

How has the police reacted?

Previously, the police had denied permission for the meeting due to insufficient documents. Later, permission was granted with 55 conditions. The meeting was allowed from 12 noon to 3 pm. A total of 5,000 people were permitted to attend. It was announced that only those with QR-coded entry tickets would be allowed to attend the campaign. India Today TV quoted police officials as saying that the victim also had pre-existing heart ailments. The police also informed that the organisers had allowed over 7,000 people to enter the venue despite a sanctioned capacity of 5,000 which contributed to the tragedy. 

Furthermore, for security reasons, elderly people, pregnant women, and children were not allowed. Arrangements were made to park the vehicles of the 11 constituency administrators at seven locations. Two fire engines, 15 medical teams, and six medical camps were also deployed. Significantly, 25 CCTV cameras were installed to completely monitor the area.

What stance has the AIADMK taken?

The AIADMK said people should carry their own coffins whenever they attend TVK meetings. A few hours after the man died at the rally, the AIADMK mocked actor Vijay in a post, suggesting that coffins should be carried to TVK events in the future.

AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan shared a post on social media platform X which featured the 'Dancing Pallbearers', a Ghananian group of dancers performing a coffin dance which has been viral on social media platforms for some years now. The group gained global fame some years ago for their slickly choreographed and high-energy dance while carrying caskets.