The Tamil Nadu police, under the DMK government, have initiated a crackdown on social media commentary following the deadly Karur stampede, arresting at least four individuals and registering cases against 25 others for allegedly spreading ‘rumours’ about the tragedy.
The stampede, which occurred during a rally of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Saturday, claimed 41 lives. Among those arrested are YouTuber Felix Gerald and three others identified as Sakhayam James, Sivanesan of Mangadu, and Sarathkumar of Avadi. Police confirmed that two of the arrested are members of the TVK party.
Authorities stated the cases relate to social media posts that allegedly circulated “completely unfounded” claims, including messages that the rally involved divisive community discussions. The government warned of strict legal action against anyone spreading baseless claims that could disturb public peace, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin appealing to the public to avoid sharing unverified information.
In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Tamil Nadu unit launched a fierce condemnation, accusing the DMK government of oppressive tactics. In a strongly worded statement, the party said, “We strongly condemn this oppressive government that is strangling the voice of freedom of expression. While calling it the ‘Dravidian Model’, the @mkstalin government has taken up Hitler’s ‘Nazi Model’ in its hands..!”
The post had an attached image which caricatured Stalin as Hitler.
கருத்துச் சுதந்திரத்தின் குரல்வளையை நெரிக்கும் இந்த அடக்குமுறை அரசை வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கிறோம்.’திராவிட மாடல்’ என்று கூறிக்கொண்டு, ஹிட்லரின் ‘நாசி மாடலை’ கையில் எடுத்துள்ளது @mkstalin அரசு..! pic.twitter.com/fsOQBlpXc0
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) September 29, 2025
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