To prevent tragedies like the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, Tamil Nadu’s government has proposed new norms requiring political parties to pay refundable security deposits based on crowd size for rallies and public meetings.

The deposit amounts range from Rs. 1 lakh for 5,000–10,000 attendees to Rs. 20 lakh for gatherings exceeding 50,000 people.

Parties must also provide 10 days’ prior notice, specify detailed roadshow routes, and ensure orderly conduct.

Limits on event duration and attendee waiting times have been recommended, alongside conditions for volunteer support and adequate drinking water.

These SOPs, framed after a Madras High Court directive, aim to improve crowd control, enhance public safety, and prevent property damage during political events. The guidelines will soon be submitted officially to the court and enforced uniformly across all parties