Tamil Nadu: Madras High Court Directs Police To Grant Permission To RSS Route

The Madras High Court directed Tamil Nadu police on Friday to grant permission to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to take route that marches in various districts across the State on public roads.

The Court was hearing a contempt of court petition filed by RSS’ Tiruvallur joint secretary R Karthikeyan against the Police for denying permission to the route march on October 2, 2022.

The Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu police on September 30, 2022 for granting permission to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that instead of organizing the rally on October 2 it should be on November 6.

In November 2022, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers carried out their annual rallies in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore, Kallakurichi and Perambalur districts, after the Sangh got permission for their rally from Madras High Court.

Last year, The Tamil Nadu Police denied permission for RSS rallies in several places for which RSS office bearers moved a contempt of court petition in the Madras High Court. Therefore the court had made it clear that authorities would face contempt action if they violate the order.

RSS Side Senior Counsel Prabhakaran had argue last year that “The Court had passed orders only after taking all circumstances into consideration and that no one should be allowed to undermine a judicial order and denial of permission despite court orders seems to be a mockery.”

Police side Council Elango stated that the central intelligence agencies had given inputs to the State regarding possible disturbance of law & order due to the action taken against the Popular Front of India (PFI).

An official release from Tamil Nadu Government issued last year stated that “Chennai High Court has given permission to the RSS March and further ordered the Tamil Nadu government to grant permission for the RSS March. And stated that due to law-and-order issues the Government denies permission for RSS March.”

Further adding that “The Union Government has banned PFI and condemning this various Muslim organizations are protesting across Tamil Nadu. Recently, various events in Tamil Nadu are triggering religious feelings and on the same day of the planned RSS March. Few political parties have asked permission for human harmony chain demonstrations against the RSS march. Police are working day and night and patrolling to ensure law and order in the state.

Therefore, it is decided not to give permission for the RSS march and other organized Human Harmony chains.” Following this order, various DMK alliance parties like VCK, MDMK and the communist party requested the government not to give permission for the RSS March.