The Madras High Court has cancelled the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to give government jobs to the families of people who died in the Karur stampede. The court said the government’s decision was against the Constitution, which says everyone must be treated equally, and government jobs should be given through a fair process.
The judges said government jobs cannot be given as compensation every time a tragedy happens.
The court pointed out that many families of government employees who died while in service are already waiting for compassionate appointments. Giving jobs to another group by creating a special category would be unfair to those who have been waiting.
The judges also said that if jobs are given in the Karur stampede case, then the government could face similar demands after every major tragedy, such as road accidents, fire accidents, or other incidents where people lose their lives.
Instead of offering government jobs, the court suggested that the government provide financial help, skill training, technical education, or support to start small businesses. These measures, the court said, would help affected families rebuild their lives.
The judges also made it clear that government jobs are not a form of compensation or welfare. They are a right that must be earned through the proper recruitment process.
The ruling is a setback for the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister Vijay.
The government had argued that it announced the jobs only as a special humanitarian step to help families who suddenly lost their earning members. It also said similar help had been given in some past tragedies. However, the High Court did not accept this argument.
The judges said the government cannot make decisions that go against the Constitution, even if the intention is good. Every government decision must follow constitutional rules.
The court also said the Karur stampede was different from incidents like the Thoothukudi police firing, where the government itself was directly responsible. So, the two cases cannot be treated the same.
With this judgment, the government jobs announced for the families of the Karur stampede victims have been cancelled. The Tamil Nadu government can still challenge the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court if it chooses.
