The Madras High Court has issued a firm directive to the Tamil Nadu state government, mandating the notification of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for political events by January 5. This significant judicial intervention aims to bring clarity and uniformity to the permissions and regulations governing political rallies and campaign meetings across the state.
Petition by Actor Vijay's Party Triggers Court Order
The court's order was passed in response to a petition filed by the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party launched by popular actor Vijay. The party approached the court after being aggrieved by what it described as "onerous" conditions imposed by the local police for its planned campaign meetings. The petition argued that the arbitrary and stringent conditions were hindering their legitimate political activities.
Seeking Relief from "Onerous" Police Conditions
TVK's legal challenge highlighted the lack of a standardized framework, which they claimed allowed police authorities to impose disproportionate and inconsistent restrictions on political gatherings. The party sought judicial relief to ensure a fair and transparent process for obtaining permissions for public meetings, a cornerstone of democratic campaigning. The High Court, acknowledging the merit in creating a clear guideline, has now set a concrete deadline for the state administration.
The bench, while hearing the plea, emphasized the need for a balanced approach that upholds both public order and the democratic rights of political entities to conduct their campaigns. The directive to formulate an SOP is seen as a step towards preventing arbitrary use of authority and ensuring a level playing field for all parties, especially in the run-up to elections.
Deadline Set for January 5 Notification
With the January 5, 2026 deadline, the Tamil Nadu government's Home Department must now draft and officially notify a comprehensive SOP. This document is expected to detail the application process, timelines for approval, permissible venues, noise regulation limits, security protocols, and other essential parameters for organizing political events. The move is anticipated to streamline interactions between political parties and law enforcement agencies, reducing conflicts and last-minute denials.
The court's order, dated December 19, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in regulating political rallies in Tamil Nadu. It underscores the judiciary's role in safeguarding democratic processes while ensuring that public safety and convenience are not compromised. All political parties in the state will be keenly awaiting the contents of the notified SOP, which will set the ground rules for future electoral campaigning and public mobilisation.
