Tamil Nadu Ordered To Formulate SOP For Political Rallies In 10 Days
The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to formulate and publish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within 10 days for granting permission to political parties and organisations to hold public rallies across the state, granting the government additional time to finalise the norms. Hearing a batch of petitions - now converted into public interest litigations - seeking guidelines for political rallies, the Bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan adjourned the matter to November 11. The court observed that all parties, including political outfits, may submit their suggestions to the government before the SOPs are finalised. The directive comes a month after the tragic stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur that claimed 41 lives, including women and children. The petitions were filed following widespread concern over safety lapses, poor crowd control, and delayed police permissions for political events.
