Apart from exposing glaring gaps in crowd management strategies, such tragedies also raise questions over the accountability of the organisers in ensuring public safety

The death of over 39 people in a stampede at a political rally of actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur is yet another stark reminder of the flaws in India’s crowd management strategies. The Karur tragedy could have been avoided with better planning, sufficient security, and better coordination between the organisers and the local administration. The organisers had announced that Vijay would address the rally, organised as part of the State-wide tour, at 12 noon. The crowd began to assemble from 9 am, but he did not arrive until late in the evening. By then, th

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