Incidents of banner collapses causing injuries and fatalities have continued to be reported across Tamil Nadu, despite repeated warnings and directives from courts against the practice. Courts have issued guidelines, strengthened regulations and cautioned authorities about the dangers posed by banners and flagpoles placed in public spaces. However, political parties across the spectrum, whether ruling, opposition or smaller outfits have continued to install banners in unsafe locations, often placing large hoardings in public areas and digging pits in the middle of roads to erect flagpoles.
In the latest such incident, a Plus One student was injured after a banner installed to highlight the achievements of Tiruchengode MLA Eeswaran collapsed in Namakkal district on Tuesday (10 March 2026) evening.
The incident occurred in Kalippatti when strong winds swept through the area. The large banner, which had been erected to publicise the achievements of Eeswaran, who represents the Tiruchengode Assembly constituency and serves as the general secretary of the Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi, reportedly could not withstand the force of the wind and suddenly collapsed.
The banner fell on Dharani, a 16-year-old Class XI student from Konangipatti near Tiruchengode. She had arrived at the Kalippatti bus stop after attending a special class at school earlier in the evening.
As reported in Dinamaalai, Dharani was standing at the bus stop when strong gusts of wind hit the area, causing the banner to fall directly onto her head. She sustained head injuries and collapsed at the spot, bleeding profusely.
Local residents rushed to her aid and administered first aid before informing her family. Upon receiving the information, the girl’s father rushed to the location. He reportedly stated that his priority was his daughter’s health and requested that no complaint or publicity be pursued regarding the incident. He then took her to a private hospital for further treatment.
A banner highlighting achievements, featuring the photograph of CM #MKStalin and put up by Tiruchengode MLA and Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi leader E.R Eeswaran in the Kalipatti area of #Namakkal district, collapsed and fell on a school student named Dharani. The student… pic.twitter.com/6y6GK72KwW
— Harish M (@chnmharish) March 10, 2026
Police from the Mallasamudram police station registered a case and have begun an investigation into the incident.
The episode has once again triggered concerns in the Kalippatti area about the continued installation of large political banners in public spaces, despite repeated court warnings that such displays can pose serious risks and inconvenience to the public.
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