Chennai: In response to the recent stampede that claimed 41 lives at an actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin convened a late-night meeting with senior legal experts, including N.R. Elango. The primary agenda was to finalize a draft Bill for Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) intended for all political parties in the state. This crucial legislation is slated to be presented during the ongoing brief legislative assembly session.
An official from the Chief Minister’s office confirmed, “A Bill on Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for political meetings in public is being drafted.” The Chief Minister plans to formally request all political parties to endorse the Bill for its swift passage and onward submission to the Governor for assent. Details of the meeting have not yet been officially disclosed.
Earlier in the day, the Tamil Nadu assembly observed a moment of silence to mourn the 41 victims of the Karur stampede, which occurred on the night of September 27. The session, which began today, is scheduled to conclude on October 17, with the supplementary budget estimates also expected to be presented.
This move aligns with Chief Minister Stalin’s assurance on October 4, where he pledged to develop a long-term strategy for managing large political gatherings by establishing clear SoPs, aiming to foster a constructive approach free from political blame. He expressed hope that such measures would serve as a national model for India.