The Madras High Court has questioned why permission for RSS rallies in Tamil Nadu is repeatedly denied despite earlier court directions, while deferring a petition seeking approval for this year’s processions to October 15 for discussions with the state government.
Justice V. Lakshmi Narayanan made the observations during a hearing on a petition filed by Jagadeesan, the state secretary of the RSS. The petitioner asked the court to direct the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police to permit RSS rallies and public meetings across the state on one of three proposed dates: October 18, October 25 or November 1.
According to the petition, the organisation has conducted Vijayadashami processions in Tamil Nadu for several years to explain the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and B.R. Ambedkar and promote social unity. The events typically involve participants wearing uniforms and marching through designated routes, followed by a public meeting. The petitioner said an application had been submitted to the DGP but no response had been received.
Senior advocate N.L. Raja, appearing for the petitioner, told the court that police authorities routinely deny permission for the RSS procession, forcing the organisation to approach the judiciary each year. He also argued that while an organisation such as the RSS could seek judicial intervention, smaller political groups and organisations without similar legal resources might not be able to do so.
Raja further submitted that the High Court had previously directed authorities to permit the procession, and that the Supreme Court had upheld those directions. Despite this, he said, police authorities continued to cite possible law-and-order problems while refusing permission. He said the RSS wanted to hold the procession and mark its foundation day on the same day as the Vijayadashami celebrations.
Advocate General Vijay Narayan, representing the police, told the court that applicants were required to seek permission at least 21 days before a proposed procession. He said the RSS application had been submitted only on October 3. He also stated that the route proposed by the organisation fell within an area where permission could not be granted and that allowing a procession during the festival period could inconvenience the public.
During the hearing, Justice Lakshmi Narayanan questioned why permission continued to be denied despite previous High Court directions being confirmed by the Supreme Court. The judge also remarked that governments of different political parties had denied permission for RSS rallies and public meetings, and referred to restrictions affecting processions by several political parties and organisations.
The court questioned why permission was denied in Tamil Nadu, which is widely described as a peaceful state, even when processions were permitted in areas facing serious security threats. The judge said repeated refusals could create unnecessary publicity for the state government and observed that authorities appeared to treat citizens as adversaries when restricting protests.
The court directed five lawyers representing the petitioner to hold discussions with R. John Satyen, the government’s chief criminal law counsel, on the issue. The matter was adjourned to October 15 for further proceedings.
