A POLITICAL rally has turned violent, leaving 31 people dead and many more injured.

A stampede has crushed multiple people as large crowds gathered in support of Tamil actor and politician Vijay in southern India on Saturday.

Vijay, a candidate for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, was stopped on a stage of an ongoing state tour.

Among the dead were at least six children and 16 women, according to the Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian.

"More than 40 people are receiving treatment," he added.

At least 44 doctors and forensic experts from other hospitals in the region have been deployed to assist in the recovery effort following the stampede.

Vijay's political rallies had previously drawn large crowds, however none had descended into chaos, until now.

The actor-turned-politi

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