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After the Karur stampede that killed 41 people at TVK Chief Vijay’s rally, the Madras High Court has given the Tamil Nadu government 10 days to frame and publish SOPs for political gatherings. Will this finally ensure safety at rallies?
Madras High Court orders Tamil Nadu to frame SOPs for political rallies within 10 days.
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu government to draft and release Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within ten days to regulate permissions for political rallies across the state. The order follows growing public concern after the Karur stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief Vijay’s rally, which left 41 people dead, including women and children.
The Bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, hearing a batch of petitions seeking uniform guidelines for political events, adjourned the case to November 11. The court asked all political parties and stakeholders to share their suggestions with the government before the SOPs are finalized.
During the proceedings, the High Court expressed concern over the “25 restrictive conditions” imposed by authorities while granting permissions for political rallies at short notice. The Bench observed that such requirements were “unreasonable” and questioned whether they were selectively targeting specific political outfits.
The petitions were filed after the Karur stampede tragedy, which highlighted lapses in crowd control, delayed police permissions, and the absence of proper safety measures at political events.
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Responding to the court, the Tamil Nadu government said it was already in the process of finalizing draft guidelines for public rallies. It noted that permissions would henceforth be restricted to designated rally grounds to prevent traffic disruptions and ensure public safety.
The government also proposed mandatory provisions for basic amenities, including drinking water and toilets, and a ban on meetings along national highways. These interim conditions, officials said, would remain in force until the new SOPs are formally implemented.
Directive comes a month after Karur stampede at Vijay’s rally that killed 41.
The TVK, whose rally tragedy triggered the petitions, welcomed the move but urged the court to also direct police to avoid last-minute permissions. TVK counsel argued that approvals often arrive just three days before events, making safety planning impossible. The party further alleged that restrictions were being imposed “selectively” against certain political organisations.
In response, the state government said that while there is currently no statutory timeframe for granting permissions, the upcoming SOPs would ensure faster and more transparent decision-making.
Coinciding with the hearing, TVK Chief and actor Vijay met the families of the Karur stampede victims in Mamallapuram, offering condolences and financial assistance. The CBI, under Supreme Court supervision, continues to probe the incident.
While the ruling DMK and state police had earlier blamed Vijay’s seven-hour delay and alleged rally violations for the tragedy, the TVK accused the administration of mishandling the crowd. Vijay’s statewide campaign ahead of the 2026 polls remains suspended since the incident.
