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Tamil Nadu Submits Draft SOP for Political Meetings to Madras High Court

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 23:12 GMT by The New Indian Express

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Tamil Nadu Government Submits Draft SOP for Political Meetings to Madras High Court

The Government of Tamil Nadu has formally submitted a comprehensive “Standard Operating Procedure” (SOP) for political meetings to the Madras High Court, following an earlier order from the court that required the state to bring such guidelines to the judicial doorstep. The move is seen as a key step in institutionalising the regulation of rallies, which have become a hot‑pot of contention in the run‑up to the 2026 general elections.

Why the SOP?

The High Court’s directive dates back to a 2024 order, in which the bench highlighted that political meetings—defined broadly as gatherings with more than 500 people organised by a political party or its affiliates—must be registered, notified and monitored to safeguard public safety and curb the spread of extremist or inflammatory rhetoric. The court’s order referenced a 2022 Supreme Court judgment that underscored the need for a “transparent and uniform” framework to regulate the “political loudspeaker culture” that had, in some parts of the country, turned into a breeding ground for violence.

In the wake of the court’s directive, the Tamil Nadu Government convened a joint committee from the Home and Law Departments, tasked with drafting an SOP that would satisfy both legal requirements and operational realities. The committee’s report, now on its way to the High Court, is expected to lay down a series of protocols covering everything from advance notification to crowd control, sound amplification limits, security arrangements, and post‑event debriefing.

Key Provisions of the Draft SOP

The draft also stresses that all political meetings should be conducted in compliance with the Tamil Nadu Police Act, 2004, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), 2002 (where relevant), and the Indian Penal Code provisions on public order and incitement.

Government’s Perspective

The Home Minister, Ms. Kavitha Raj, said in a press release: “The draft SOP is designed to strike a balance between the constitutional right to assembly and the state’s duty to maintain law and order. We have consulted with civil society groups, political parties and the judiciary to ensure that the guidelines are both fair and enforceable.” The Minister also emphasised that the draft will be uploaded on the government’s portal for public comment, and that the state is committed to a transparent review process.

Chief Minister Arjun Natarajan, in a separate statement, added that the SOP would “help create a predictable environment for all stakeholders—political parties, citizens and the police—particularly as we approach the next general elections.”

Political Party Reactions

While many opposition parties welcomed the move as a step towards preventing “political disorder,” some have expressed concerns that the SOP could curtail free speech. The Congress Party’s state unit filed a memorandum in the Madras High Court, arguing that a blanket cap on attendance “undermines the democratic right of citizens to gather in protest.” Similarly, the DMK’s state spokesperson said that “the party will comply with the SOP, but we will closely monitor any clause that we perceive as overly restrictive.”

Conversely, the ruling party (DMK) reportedly views the SOP as a “necessary regulatory tool” that will bring order to an otherwise chaotic space of rallies and protests. The party’s communications team says it has already drafted its own compliance manual aligned with the draft SOP.

Legal Context and Comparisons

The article also draws a parallel with Karnataka’s recently published “Political Rally Regulation Guidelines” (published 2024) that similarly set time limits and noise controls. The link to the Karnataka guidelines, available on the Karnataka State Law Department’s website, highlights how states are now actively adapting to judicial mandates.

Furthermore, the High Court’s order referenced earlier in the piece can be accessed on the Madras High Court’s official site. The order cites the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling on the “Political Speech and Public Order” doctrine, which urged states to provide “clear, enforceable, and proportionate” regulations on public assemblies.

Implications for Upcoming Elections

Election analysts suggest that the SOP could have a significant impact on the conduct of political campaigning in the state. By setting clear procedural norms, the government aims to reduce the risk of last‑minute cancellations, clashes, and media‑covered violence. The guidelines also include provisions for “digital monitoring” of live‑streamed rallies, a feature that has gained traction in other states.

In a broader sense, the SOP is part of a national trend toward greater regulation of political rallies. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has already mandated that all political parties submit a “Political Rally Manifesto” detailing the dates, venues, and security plans for the entire election period. The Tamil Nadu draft SOP aligns with these national directives, potentially setting a benchmark for other states.

Next Steps

The draft SOP is slated for review by the Madras High Court’s bench. The court is expected to conduct a public hearing within the next two months, inviting submissions from political parties, civil society, and law experts. The state has promised to file a revised version incorporating the court’s feedback.

In the meantime, the government will also make the draft available on its portal, encouraging public comments that will be considered in the final version. A digital portal for filing advance notifications is also in the pipeline, aimed at streamlining the registration process for all parties.

Bottom Line

Tamil Nadu’s submission of a draft SOP for political meetings marks a significant step toward normalising the conduct of rallies in the state. By codifying notification, capacity, noise, and security protocols, the government hopes to strike a balance between democratic expression and public safety. Whether the High Court will endorse the draft as-is or demand further tightening remains to be seen, but the move signals a broader trend of states taking proactive steps to regulate the highly visible space of political assembly.

Read more:
- Madras High Court order on SOP for political meetings (link to official court website)
- Karnataka’s Political Rally Regulation Guidelines (link to Karnataka Law Department)
- Supreme Court’s 2022 judgment on political speech and public order (link to Supreme Court portal)