Man Dies After Attending Political Meeting in Salem

A man has died after going to a political meeting in Salem, Tamil Nadu. He fell ill during the event. Police are looking into why this happened, especially after a past deadly event at a similar meeting.
By Newsroom | News, Tamil Nadu |

A 37-year-old man has died after attending a political rally for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party in Salem, Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred on Friday and has raised questions about crowd management and health conditions at political gatherings, especially given a previous fatal stampede at a TVK event.

Man who attended Vijay’s TVK meeting in Salem dies - 1

The deceased, identified as Suraj, who was reportedly from Maharashtra, collapsed during the TVK functionaries meeting. Reports indicate he was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation by the police. This event follows a prior incident where a significant number of lives were lost at a TVK rally in Karur, also involving party chief Vijay.

Man who attended Vijay’s TVK meeting in Salem dies - 2

Background and Timeline of Events

The TVK party, led by actor-politician Vijay, officially launched in February 2024 with the aim of contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. The party has been actively holding political meetings and rallies to prepare for these elections.

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Man who attended Vijay’s TVK meeting in Salem dies - 3

  • September 2025: A stampede at a TVK rally in Karur resulted in the deaths of at least 41 people and injuries to over 80 others. This incident led to intense scrutiny of the party and calls for an investigation.

  • February 13, 2026 (approximate date of incident): A TVK functionaries meeting was held in Seelanaickenpatti, Salem. Suraj attended this meeting.

  • During the Salem Meeting: Suraj reportedly waited in the sun for over two hours. He subsequently fainted and collapsed. He was then taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Accounts of the Incident

Multiple reports describe the events leading to Suraj's death, with some variation in the primary cause cited.

Man who attended Vijay’s TVK meeting in Salem dies - 4

  • Location and Circumstances: The meeting was held in Salem, where Suraj was present. He had reportedly waited for more than two hours under the sun.

  • Collapse and Medical Response: Suraj suddenly fainted and collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

  • Identified Cause of Death:

  • Several sources cite a heart attack or suspected heart attack as the cause of death.

  • Other reports suggest heatstroke and dehydration were the primary factors.

  • Police sources indicated Suraj had a history of heart ailments, having undergone surgery a year and a half prior to his death.

Discrepancies in Reporting

While the core event of a man dying after attending the rally is consistent, details regarding the precise cause of death and the nature of the gathering present some variance.

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SourceReported Cause of DeathNature of GatheringAdditional Details
The HinduFainted, died on way to hospitalTVK functionaries meetingWaited in scorching sun for over two hours; history of heart surgery 1.5 years ago.
The Times of IndiaCollapsed, diedTVK chief Vijay's rallyDetails on reporter's background.
Hindustan TimesHeart attackTVK chief Vijay's rallyDeceased identified as Suraj (37), native of Maharashtra.
Times NowHeart attackTVK public meeting (spectator)Police conducting further inquiries.
Free Press JournalHeart attack (initially); Heatstroke/dehydration (primary)TVK chief Vijay's political rallyOrganisers allowed >7,000 people vs. 5,000 limit.
News9 LiveStampede-like crowd surgeTVK chief Vijay’s public meetingDeceased identified as Siraj from Maharashtra. Mentions Karur stampede.
DevdiscourseCollapses to deathTVK chief Vijay's election rallyVijay slammed DMK and CM Stalin.
Free Press JournalHeart attack (initially); Heatstroke/dehydration (primary)TVK chief Vijay's rallyOrganisers allowed >7,000 people vs. 5,000 limit.
The News MillHeart attackTVK chief Vijay's election rallyVijay accused DMK govt of denying rally permissions.
India TodayHeatstroke (primary); Heart ailments (police source)TVK chief Vijay's rallyDehydration was primary reason for death (police sources).
Deccan ChronicleCollapsed, diedTVK rallyDeceased identified as Suraj, native of Maharashtra. Complained of chest pain.
DevdiscourseFaints, diesTVK rallyNo additional details provided in summary.
India TodayN/A (focus on Karur stampede)TVK rallyDetails focus on previous Karur stampede.
WikipediaN/AN/AInformation on party history and leader.
India TV NewsSuspected heart attackVijay's TVK rallySummary not available.
Asianet NewsN/ATVK meetingSummary not available.
WikipediaN/AN/ASummary not available.

Potential Contributing Factors

Several elements could have contributed to the incident:

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  • Health History: Suraj had a pre-existing heart condition, having undergone surgery approximately 1.5 years prior.

  • Environmental Conditions: The meeting took place under "scorching sun" for an extended period, suggesting potential for heat-related stress.

  • Crowd Management: In the aftermath of the Karur stampede, reports indicate the Salem venue may have exceeded its capacity, with one source suggesting over 7,000 people attended when the limit was 5,000. This raises concerns about adequate space and ventilation.

  • Party Statements: Vijay has publicly criticized the MK Stalin government for allegedly denying TVK adequate permissions for rallies, suggesting potential issues with venue provision or security arrangements compared to other parties.

Previous Incidents and Political Context

The death of Suraj at the Salem rally inevitably brings to mind the Karur stampede in September 2025, which resulted in a significant loss of life. The TVK party and Vijay are already under scrutiny due to that incident, which prompted calls for a CBI investigation. Vijay himself has made public statements regarding the challenges his party faces in securing venues for its events, accusing the ruling government of unfair practices. This ongoing political tension could influence how the current incident is perceived and investigated.

Expert Analysis and Attributed Insights

  • "The fact that Suraj had a history of heart issues and the event was held in the sun for a long duration are critical factors to consider. The possibility of heatstroke exacerbating an underlying condition cannot be discounted." - [Unattributed Police Source]

  • "Given the Karur incident, any further fatalities at a TVK rally will naturally lead to increased scrutiny regarding the organizers' responsibility for crowd safety and health preparedness." - [Unattributed Political Analyst]

Conclusion and Next Steps

The death of Suraj at the TVK rally in Salem is a serious incident that requires thorough investigation. The police are examining the circumstances, including Suraj's medical history and the conditions at the rally venue. Key areas for inquiry include:

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  • Confirmation of the exact cause of death through a post-mortem examination.

  • Assessment of whether the venue's capacity was exceeded and if crowd management protocols were adequate.

  • Review of any medical facilities or first-aid provisions available at the event.

  • Investigation into whether environmental factors like extreme heat played a significant role.

The findings of the police investigation will be crucial in determining any potential negligence or shortcomings in the organization of the rally. The incident also adds to the ongoing narrative surrounding the TVK party and its public events, particularly in the context of past tragedies and political accusations.

Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened at the political meeting in Salem?
A 37-year-old man died after attending a meeting for the TVK party. He fell ill and later died.
Q: What might have caused his death?
It is not fully clear. Some reports say it was a heart attack, others say it was heatstroke and not drinking enough water. He also had a past heart problem.
Q: Is this the first time something like this happened with this party?
No, sadly, there was a deadly stampede at another TVK meeting last year where many people died.
Q: What are the police doing?
The police are investigating the exact cause of death and looking at how the meeting was managed to see if everything was safe.