High Court asks police to permit RSS route marches in Tamil Nadu

Justice G Jayachandran, while granting permission for the route marches which are conducted by RSS in almost all states, also allowed the police to impose reasonable restrictions. Of the 33 locations, three are in Chennai.

Chennai: Madras High Court on Monday ordered Tamil Nadu police to grant permission for RSS route marches in 33 locations across the northern part of the state on October 22 and 29. The RSS had approached the court after police denied permission for the route marches for the second consecutive year, citing a slew of reasons.

Justice G Jayachandran, while granting permission for the route marches, which are conducted by the RSS in almost all states, also allowed the police to impose reasonable restrictions. Of the 33 locations, three are in Chennai.

Last year too, the police denied permission for the route marches, but the RSS knocked at the doors of the court and ensured that the events were held.

The RSS has always found it tough to hold marches in Tamil Nadu with the then chief minister J Jayalalithaa refusing permission for years together. The marches resumed after her death in 2016 and were not held due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The march assumes significance in the wake of a massive political push by the BJP to make inroads into Tamil Nadu, where it still lacks a solid base.