High Court Orders Submission of District-wise Details for RSS Processions in Southern Districts
Madurai: The Madurai High Court has ordered the submission of district-wise details of participants in RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) processions in southern districts of Tamil Nadu. The court’s decision comes in response to petitions filed by the RSS seeking permission to hold processions and public meetings on Vijayadashami day.
The petitions were filed for 20 places in 14 districts, including Madurai, Theni – Dindigul, Trichy, Virudhunagar, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, Karur, Thenkasi, Thanjavur, and Sivaganga. The RSS had sought permission to hold these events on October 22nd, which coincides with Ambedkar’s birth anniversary and India’s 75th year of independence.
However, the police have not granted permission for the procession and public meeting yet. Last year, permission was denied, leading to a case being filed in the High Court. The court had ordered permission to be granted, but it was not implemented. Subsequently, contempt of court proceedings were initiated, and sanctions were obtained.
The RSS counsel argued that the processions would be peaceful, with participants wearing khaki pants, white shirts, caps, and carrying the Bharat Mata flag. Firecrackers would not be burst during the procession.
On the other hand, the government’s criminal advocate, RM Anpunidi, stated that the petitions seeking permission did not provide sufficient information about the procession routes, participants, and the presence of religious places of worship along the way. He also raised concerns about the controversial and divisive slogans found in RSS pamphlets, suggesting that the procession could lead to law and order problems.
Furthermore, Anpunidi pointed out the challenge of providing security for the upcoming Devar Guru Puja, with more than 5,000 policemen set to be deployed in southern districts. Granting permission to the RSS procession at this time could pose difficulties in ensuring adequate security.
In light of these issues, the High Court has ordered the submission of full details regarding the district-wise participants, start and end points of the procession, and other relevant information. The hearing has been adjourned to Tuesday, pending the submission of these details.
The court’s decision to seek detailed information reflects the need to balance the right to peaceful assembly with public safety concerns. The outcome of the hearing will determine whether the RSS processions will be permitted in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu on Vijayadashami day.