Updated on: Nov 04, 2025 | Chennai

In the wake of the tragic Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, including children, the Tamil Nadu government has convened a consultative meeting on November 6 with all recognised political parties to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for conducting political rallies and campaigns in the state. This move follows a directive from the Madras High Court, which had ordered the government to develop formal guidelines to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Context: The Karur Stampede

The Karur stampede occurred during a political rally held by actor-turned-politician Vijay in the city on the night of September 27, 2025. The incident shocked the state and led to widespread calls for accountability and safety reforms. Following the tragedy, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay’s political outfit, petitioned the High Court to ensure that proper SOPs were implemented to regulate crowd management and political events in Tamil Nadu.

The High Court, in its hearing on October 26, gave the state government a 10-day deadline to draft the SOPs. It also noted that if the government failed to meet the deadline, the Court itself would frame the guidelines. In anticipation of the court’s intervention, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had already announced that the state would formulate SOPs in consultation with experts, political parties, and activists.

The All-Party Consultation

The government’s upcoming meeting will include all recognised political parties and those with representation in Parliament and the state legislative assembly. Senior ministers will chair the session, and key officials from the state administration will participate.

However, actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) will not be part of the consultation, as the government has limited invitations to parties recognised by the Election Commission of India. Despite this, the TVK’s petition played a significant role in prompting the High Court directive for SOP formulation.

The aim of the SOP is to avert tragedies like the Karur stampede in the future by providing clear guidelines for crowd control, event management, and safety protocols during political campaigns. Once the draft is prepared, the government will submit it to the Madras High Court for approval by November 11, as per the court’s instructions.

Court Mandate and Government Response

The High Court, headed by Chief Justice M.M. Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan, emphasised the need for stringent SOPs in light of the Karur incident. The court’s order addressed petitions filed by multiple parties, including TVK, seeking clear safety measures during political events.

While the court had threatened to issue its own SOP if the government failed to comply, the DMK-led administration has taken proactive steps to involve recognised political parties and administrative experts in the drafting process.

Additional Political Developments

Separately, the DMK moved the Supreme Court on Monday against the implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. This move indicates the state government’s ongoing engagement with legal and electoral processes as it prepares for the next election cycle.

Significance of the SOP

The SOP will serve as a critical framework for all political parties and event organisers, detailing:

• Crowd management protocols to prevent stampedes
• Emergency response plans in case of unforeseen incidents
• Coordination mechanisms between political organisers, police, and local authorities
• Limits on crowd density and venue capacity
• Guidelines for entry, exit, and evacuation procedures during rallies and political events

By creating a formal SOP, the government aims to ensure that political campaigns are safe, orderly, and compliant with legal standards, thereby preventing further loss of life during mass gatherings.

Conclusion

The Tamil Nadu government’s call for an all-party consultative meeting marks a significant step in strengthening safety protocols for political events following the Karur tragedy. With the High Court closely monitoring the process, and the submission deadline of November 11 looming, the government is expected to produce a comprehensive SOP that will serve as a blueprint for conducting political campaigns safely across the state.

This initiative underscores the importance of collaborative governance, where political parties, administrative officials, and safety experts work together to prevent future disasters while respecting democratic processes and electoral activities.