The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) conducted path sanchalan across 58 locations in Tamil Nadu, following legal backing from the Madras High Court. This marks the first time in recent years that the organisation has been able to carry out these path sanchalan at nearly all scheduled sites, garnering public appreciation for the disciplined conduct of its cadres.
The DMK government initially attempted to deny permissions for the rallies, citing various reasons. In response, the RSS sought intervention from the High Court, which set a deadline for the police to permit the rallies. Despite this, the government issued a denial a day before the scheduled date, presenting what the RSS described as justifications.
Further hearings saw the government agree to permit path sanchalan at 42 locations, while denying access to 16. In the next hearing, permissions for the remaining ten locations were granted, but the government maintained its firm refusal for another ten locations. The court continued to address the case-by-case issues raised by the police, clearing the path for the RSS’s planned activities across the state.
The Madras High Court has issued a warning to the Tamil Nadu government regarding its repeated denial of permissions for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) rallies, emphasizing that such actions violate both Supreme Court and High Court orders.
The court said, ‘Do not test the patience of this court. Your action is in total violation of the SC and HC orders. The HC had ordered the creation of guidelines that are already in place. Why now deny permission on flimsy grounds?’
During the hearings, the Kottaipattinam DSP cited concerns over planned welfare schemes by Muslim organisations as justification for denying permission for the RSS path sanchalan. The court questioned the validity of this reasoning, asking, ‘In which outfit was he a member? Has the outfit submitted a petition seeking permission?”
The court remarked that the government should not have to rely on court interventions each year. ‘While other states allow these rallies, why does the Tamil Nadu government take a different stance?” asked the court, reiterating that the presence of churches and mosques along the path sanchalan should not be grounds for denial in a secular and democratic country.
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