Consider granting permission to RSS route march before Oct 28: HC

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the State police to take a decision on or before October 28 to grant permission to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to conduct route marches in 51 places across Tamil Nadu.

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan passed the directions on disposing of the petitions filed by RSS members.

The petitioners sought direction to the police to grant permission to conduct the procession with RSS uniforms in 51 places on October 2 as a mark of celebrating the 75th Independence Day, Vijay Dhasami, and Dr BR Ambedkar’s birthday.

Representing RSS office bearers, Senior Advocate Prabhakaran informed the judge that as per law, the police were not conferred with the powers to deny permission. He, further, added that the police could merely control the rally.

“RSS is not a banned organisation and the route marchers are being allowed in several states, including Jammu and Kashmir. The respondents are granting permission to conduct a public meeting, procession to various other political parties and other organisations and only with regard to the RSS, the respondents are prejudiced and acting against their interest and not granting any permission,” the senior advocate argued.

However, Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohammed Jinnah submitted that the petitioner organisation did not give any detail about the route marches. The PP said that the RSS did not explain the place and time to conduct the procession.

“If the route march was conducted with shouting religious slogans in sensitive places, it would result in law and order problems,” the PP noted.

He further said that the petitioners did not provide any affidavit to police assuring that they will not cause any law and order problem.

Responding to the PP’s submissions, RSS’ advocate argued that they are ready to accept any kind of restrictions that would be imposed by the police to conduct the procession.

“There were no such untoward incidents while we have conducted procession in the past in TN. Puducherry UT has granted permission to conduct the route march,” the senior lawyer submitted.

Recording the submissions, Justice Ilanthiraiyan directed the police to grant permission by considering the representation of RSS to conduct the procession with restrictions.