PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss made a strong appeal to the State government on Sunday, urging them to permit political rallies and gatherings in public spaces. He emphasized that this should continue ‘until comprehensive safety regulations for such public meetings are properly established.’ Furthermore, he called upon all political parties to proactively embrace and adhere to any reasonable conditions the government might impose to ensure these gatherings are conducted safely.
In a recent statement, Dr. Anbumani firmly declared that a sweeping ban on all political events is simply ‘unacceptable.’ He highlighted that such a drastic measure stems from a single, tragic incident—the Karur stampede. In that unfortunate event, he noted that the organizers (actor Vijay’s TVK) reportedly failed to follow established rules, and the police’s management of the situation was inadequate.
Earlier permissions granted for rallies, including those for the PMK, have since been revoked, and new applications are being denied. This turn of events follows directives from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, which has been addressing petitions related to the horrifying stampede at the TVK rally in Karur on September 27, where 41 lives were lost.
Dr. Anbumani elaborated on the court’s interim order, stating that it ‘prohibits any party from holding public meetings on National or State Highways.’ However, he pointed out that the order explicitly allows meetings in designated public spaces. It further mandates that if no such venues exist in an area, relevant officials must identify and provide suitable, safe locations with proper access for emergency services like ambulances. Once these conditions are met, meetings can proceed.
He also revealed that the PMK’s planned ‘padayatra’ (foot march) tours in Madurai and Tirunelveli have been cancelled. Instead, the party has only been permitted to hold meetings in locations situated away from the main town centers. The police, he noted, are firm in their stance, asserting that no further decisions can be made until definitive rules for public meetings are formally put in place.