The Tamil Nadu government has introduced a comprehensive set of draft guidelines and standard operating procedures to regulate the organization of road shows and public meetings by political parties and other organizations. This significant move aims to bring structure and safety to large-scale political gatherings across the state.
Court Proceedings and Timeline
The draft SOP was formally submitted before the Madras High Court on Friday, marking a crucial step in the regulatory process. The first bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan officially recorded the draft and issued important directives regarding its implementation.
The court has instructed the state government to share the newly formulated guidelines with all petitioners involved in the case, including prominent political entities like AIADMK and TVK. The judicial proceedings have been adjourned until November 27, providing sufficient time for all stakeholders to review the proposed regulations.
Key Provisions of the Draft SOP
According to the detailed draft, the standard operating procedure will apply to all public meetings where the expected attendance exceeds 5,000 people. However, the regulations include specific exemptions for traditional religious gatherings conducted in established places of worship where venues are determined by customary practices.
The SOP grants significant authority to district collectors, empowering them to identify and notify designated locations within their jurisdictions suitable for public meetings, road shows, and other large gatherings. This designation process requires consultation with Superintendents of Police or Police Commissioners and incorporates inputs from political parties officially recognized by the Election Commission of India.
Venue Specifications and Application Process
For events planned on national or state highways and public roads, organizers must obtain prior approval from the designated authority responsible for road maintenance. Each identified venue will undergo thorough assessment by the Public Works Department to determine its maximum crowd capacity, ensuring safety standards are maintained.
The application process requires any individual or political party intending to conduct a public meeting to submit a formal written request to the jurisdictional police station or relevant sub-divisional police officer. The application must include comprehensive details such as:
- Specific venue for the event
- Date and precise timing of commencement and conclusion
- Purpose of the gathering
- Maximum anticipated attendance
- Names of prominent leaders and special guests expected to participate
In situations where the expected crowd size surpasses the officially notified capacity of designated venues, organizers must propose alternative locations along with detailed maps and total area specifications of the suggested venue.
This systematic approach to regulating political gatherings represents a significant step toward ensuring public safety while maintaining democratic processes for political expression across Tamil Nadu.
