The Tamil Nadu government has initiated a major consultative exercise with political parties across the state to draft a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the conduct of political rallies and campaign events. The move follows a stern directive issued by the Madras High Court last week, instructing the state to produce a draft SOP in response to a petition filed by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). The petition was submitted in the aftermath of the devastating stampede in Karur on September 27, an incident that claimed the lives of 41 people and raised serious questions about public safety at large political gatherings.

The high court, deeply concerned by the scale of the tragedy, had emphasised the urgent need for uniform, legally enforceable guidelines to oversee the planning, approval, and management of political events that draw large crowds. Observing that the absence of clear protocols contributed to failures in crowd control and emergency response, the court ordered the government to draft and submit an SOP on or before November 11. Failing this, the court warned it would proceed to issue an SOP on its own, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for timely accountability.

In compliance with the directive, the state government called for a multi-party consultation on Thursday in Chennai. The meeting, held under the leadership of senior ministers K N Nehru (Municipal Administration), S Regupathy (Law), and M Subramanian (Health), along with Chief Secretary N Murganantham, sought inputs from recognised political parties and those with representation in Parliament or the state legislative assembly. The gathering was significant, not only because of the high court mandate, but also because Tamil Nadu is gearing up for its assembly elections next year—an election cycle that typically sees the state flooded with rallies, roadshows, and public meetings by political leaders.

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was represented by its organising secretary R S Bharathi, while the primary opposition, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), deputed its organising secretary D Jayakumar and Rajya Sabha member I S Inbadurai. The Congress party, a member of the DMK-led alliance, sent its state president K Selvaperunthagai. Other political formations that attended the session included smaller regional parties and groups that frequently organise public meetings or mass outreach initiatives.

Participants at the meeting conveyed that the government appeared keen on ensuring that any new SOP balanced public safety with democratic freedoms. One of the leaders who took part in the discussions said that the guidelines under consideration would not curtail the powers of district administrations or the police force, which traditionally have the authority to grant permissions, impose restrictions, and oversee law-and-order arrangements for public events. Instead, the SOP is likely to standardise procedures across districts, reducing discrepancies in how permissions are granted and how safety checks are implemented.

One of the central proposals reportedly under discussion is the requirement of a refundable security deposit. This deposit would vary based on the estimated size of the crowd and would be returned upon successful completion of the event without major safety lapses. The proposal aims to make political organisers more accountable and to ensure that they take adequate precautions, including deploying trained personnel, securing exits, installing barricades, and preparing for potential emergencies. While the idea has received cautious approval from several parties, some concerns remain over whether such deposits might disadvantage smaller organisations that run on limited funds.

The government has not officially released the draft SOP yet, but officials indicated that it would consolidate the input received from political parties, civil servants, safety experts, and legal authorities. Several parties emphasised the need for transparency and stressed that the SOP must incorporate lessons from previous tragedies, including the Karur stampede, which many described as preventable. Poor crowd management, inadequate space, and lack of clear entry and exit pathways were cited by investigators and witnesses as contributing factors in that incident.

The petition filed by Vijay’s TVK played a critical role in bringing the matter to the court’s attention. TVK argued that the absence of standardised rules for political gatherings led to inconsistent practices and heightened risks, especially during events that attract tens of thousands of enthusiastic supporters. The party submitted that the court should mandate uniform conditions that all political entities must follow, irrespective of their size or affiliation. TVK’s submission also highlighted the need for clear responsibilities between organisers and state agencies to avoid ambiguity during crises.

The high court, acknowledging the seriousness of the petition and the Karur incident, issued a directive on October 26 giving the state ten days to finalise and submit the draft SOP. The deadline of November 11 was set to ensure that the matter received immediate attention, particularly since the state is entering a politically charged period. Earlier this week, actor Vijay criticised the police for imposing restrictions on his rallies that, he alleged, no other political leader in India faced. His remarks added another dimension to the ongoing debate, suggesting that procedural inconsistencies have already created friction between political parties and law-enforcement authorities.

The tragic Karur incident also prompted the state’s leadership to act even before the court directive. Chief Minister M K Stalin had publicly announced the government’s intention to draw up an SOP in consultation with experts, political parties, civil society organisations, and safety professionals. This announcement indicated that the government recognised the scale of the problem and sought to take proactive measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. It also reflected the government’s awareness that in an election year, the safety of political gatherings is a matter of utmost public concern.

As the government prepares to submit its draft SOP to the high court, the political and administrative significance of the document cannot be overstated. The SOP is expected to address a wide range of issues, including crowd limit assessments, mandatory structural audits of venues, advance intimation of expected audience size, responsibilities of organisers in risk management, medical preparedness, coordination among agencies, and real-time monitoring of events by district authorities. The goal is to create a framework that not only prevents overcrowding and stampedes but also enhances public safety across all aspects of political mobilisation.

The upcoming submission to Chief Justice M M Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan will determine the immediate next steps. The court is likely to scrutinise the SOP closely, ensuring that it aligns with constitutional protections for free expression and assembly while prioritising public safety. Should the court find the draft inadequate, it may issue its own SOP or require further modifications from the state.

The drafting of this SOP marks a pivotal moment in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. With election season approaching and public concerns heightened after the Karur tragedy, the government and political parties now face the challenge of balancing mass mobilisation with safety. The outcome of this process will shape the conduct of political events in the state for years to come.