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1. The science is clear, crowd disasters are preventable
Crowd disasters, such as stampedes and crushes, are scientifically understood, predictable, and preventable. Despite this, they continue to occur frequently, leading to tragic loss of life. The recent Maha Kumbh crowd crush in India (2025) highlights the urgent need for better crowd management policies. This article explores the causes, global examples, preventive measures, and the role of governments in ensuring public safety at large gatherings.
1. Crowd Crushes: Causes and Science
- Crowd crushes occur when density exceeds safe limits (5 persons per sq.m pose injury risk; 7+ persons per sq.m increase the chance of fatalities).
- High crowd density is linked to physical space constraints, leading to compression and restricted movement.
- Victims have no control over the situation once dangerous density is reached.
2. Examples of Major Crowd Disasters
- Maha Kumbh, India (2025) – 30 killed due to high crowd density.
- Houston, USA (2021) – 10 deaths at a music concert.
- Itaewon, South Korea (2022) – 159 killed at a Halloween event.
- Sanaa, Yemen (2023) – 90 killed at a charity event.
- Nigeria (2024) – 35 killed at a religious festival.
3. Role of Governments and Organisers
- Crowd control is not the responsibility of individuals, but event organisers and local governments.
- Governments must implement scientific crowd management techniques to prevent tragedies.
4. Preventive Measures for Crowd Management
- Increase entry and exit points to avoid bottlenecks.
- Stagger arrival times to prevent sudden surges.
- Ensure clear passageways without obstacles.
- Segment crowds into smaller groups (e.g., Times Square, NYC follows this method).
5. Economic and Regulatory Aspects
- Event organisers have an economic incentive to pack crowds for profit (ticket, food, and merchandise sales).
- Most nations lack laws mandating crowd safety, leaving it to organisers’ discretion.
- Governments must enact regulations requiring basic crowd safety measures to prevent future disasters.
Conclusion
- Crowd disasters are preventable with proper planning and regulation.
- Governments must take proactive measures to ensure safety at mass gatherings.
- Small changes in event management can save lives while allowing safe public gatherings.
2. More and better: On India’s educational infrastructure
India’s educational infrastructure plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to quality education. The recent Supreme Court ruling against residence-based reservations in PG medical admissions upholds equality before law, but it may impact States’ healthcare priorities. This verdict has reignited debates on the balance between merit-based admissions and regional healthcare needs. Strengthening educational infrastructure across all districts is the most effective long-term solution.
Educational Infrastructure and PG Medical Admissions
1. Supreme Court Verdict on PG Medical Admissions
- No reservation based on residence for PG medical admissions.
- Reinforces the idea that Indians have a single domicile and can seek admission anywhere.
- Upholds the principle that higher qualifications should prioritize merit over regional preferences.
- Institutional preference (admitting students from the same institution) is allowed.
- UG medical courses can have residential requirements to meet local healthcare needs.
2. Impact on States and Medical Services
- Many States allocate PG seats in government/private medical colleges to their own students.
- PG students form the backbone of medical services in government hospitals.
- Many PG students later join government service, ensuring local healthcare needs are met.
- Southern States have invested heavily in medical colleges across districts and prefer to train their own candidates.
3. Centralisation vs State Autonomy in Medical Admissions
- States may seek a review of the judgment to protect their interests.
- The ruling could lead to further centralisation of medical education admissions.
- Raises questions on why UG admissions are being centralised despite the Court allowing local preference.
4. The Need for Better Educational Infrastructure
- Equitable access to quality education across districts can address disparities.
- More medical colleges and improved facilities will reduce dependence on residential quotas.
- Strengthening district-level institutions will enhance healthcare manpower and public service.
Conclusion
While the Supreme Court’s ruling ensures merit-based admissions, it also highlights the need for uniform and quality educational infrastructure across India. The solution lies in empowering States to create robust medical education systems while maintaining fairness in admissions. This will help achieve both meritocracy and regional healthcare sustainability.
3. Unclear agenda: On Donald Trump and his policy agenda
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy agenda has come under scrutiny after his administration attempted to freeze federal funds for social services. A District Court judge blocked the move, leading to a White House backtrack amid confusion over its impact. This highlights the precarious nature of Trump’s approach to governance, raising concerns over executive overreach, budget priorities, and political polarisation.
Trump’s Policy Agenda & Governance Challenges
1. Controversial Federal Funding Freeze
- The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo proposed halting funds for several social services.
- The District Court blocked the order, forcing the Trump administration to retract the memo.
- The move threatened federal grants and loans for healthcare, schools, hospitals, and shelters.
- Confusion over the impact on Medicaid, student loans, and food assistance led to widespread criticism.
2. Trump’s Fiscal Policy and Governance Approach
- Trump remains committed to cutting public spending on social services.
- His administration aims to eliminate “government waste” and unnecessary regulations.
- The ad hoc and uncoordinated policy decisions have raised concerns, even among Republicans.
3. Constitutional Concerns & Executive Overreach
- The OMB memo hinted at Trump’s reliance on executive orders to bypass Congress.
- This approach challenges the role of Congress in budgetary allocations.
- Possible pushback from lawmakers could limit Trump’s ability to implement such measures.
4. Influence of ‘Project 2025’ & Political Polarisation
- Trump’s advisors support ‘Project 2025’, viewed as a right-wing policy blueprint.
- Critics argue that it could exacerbate political divisions in the U.S.
- While Trump has improved personnel management, his divisive policies may intensify societal polarisation.
Conclusion
Trump’s attempt to freeze social service funds underscores his fiscal conservatism and executive assertiveness. However, the lack of coordination, legal challenges, and growing political divisions pose significant obstacles to his agenda. Going forward, his administration will need to navigate Congressional oversight and public sentiment to implement its economic policies effectively.
4. An opportunity to settle Sri Lanka’s ethnic problem
The Sri Lankan ethnic issue remains unresolved despite decades of political efforts. The 13th Amendment (13A), introduced through the Indo-Lanka Accord (1987), aimed to decentralize power via Provincial Councils but has faced resistance. Recently, India’s symbolic gesture of naming the Jaffna Cultural Centre after Thiruvalluvar, the revered Tamil poet-philosopher, highlights New Delhi’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka’s Tamil heritage. However, the JVP-led government’s stance on devolution remains unclear, raising concerns about the future of Provincial Councils and ethnic reconciliation.
Sri Lanka’s Ethnic Problem & Thiruvalluvar’s Symbolism
1. India’s Role & Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre
- India renamed the Jaffna Cultural Centre as the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre after concerns from Sri Lankan Tamils.
- This symbolic move reinforces India’s deep cultural and historical ties with Sri Lanka’s Tamil population.
- The gesture aims to address Tamil sentiments and strengthen bilateral ties.
2. 13th Amendment (13A) & Indo-Lanka Accord (1987)
- The Indo-Lanka Accord led to the creation of Provincial Councils to grant limited autonomy.
- Sinhala nationalists and JVP viewed 13A as an imposition by India, while Tamil groups found it inadequate.
- LTTE rejected 13A, demanding a separate Tamil Eelam (Northern & Eastern Provinces).
- India continues to push for its full implementation, but progress has been slow.
3. JVP’s Opposition to 13A & Provincial Councils
- JVP has historically opposed the Provincial Council system, calling it a foreign imposition.
- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s party (NPP) has not clarified its stance on devolution.
- The NPP’s 2024 election manifesto vaguely mentions constitutional reforms but avoids explicit support for 13A.
4. Provincial Councils vs. Local Bodies
- Local bodies cannot replace Provincial Councils, as they lack autonomy and resources.
- 2017 Constitutional Steering Committee Report emphasized Provinces as the primary unit of devolution.
- A strong Provincial Council system is essential for ethnic reconciliation and regional governance.
5. The Way Forward: A Political Solution for Ethnic Reconciliation
- JVP must rethink its opposition to 13A and recognize the importance of power devolution.
- India’s continued engagement, as seen in the Thiruvalluvar naming decision, signals support for Tamil aspirations.
- Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition has a golden opportunity to draft a new constitution that ensures equality and genuine devolution.
Conclusion
The Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre is a symbolic but significant step in recognizing Sri Lanka’s Tamil heritage and India’s commitment to the issue. However, real reconciliation requires political will. The JVP-led NPP government must shed outdated opposition to Provincial Councils and embrace a comprehensive, democratic solution to Sri Lanka’s long-standing ethnic issue.
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in The Hindu and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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