New Delhi: The Tamil Nadu government has denied permission to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold ‘route marches’ in 51 locations across the state on October 2, overturning the permission granted by the Madras high court on September 22, according to The Hindu.
In effect, all rallies have been outlawed, including ‘counter marches’ planned by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Left parties and outfits in response to RSS ‘route marches’.
The M.K. Stalin government said the environment in the state was not conducive for rallies and large assemblies in light of multiple incidents of violence reported across the state in the aftermath of raids carried out by investigating agencies against the Popular Front of India and its affiliate organisations. In the last few days, properties linked to several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and RSS workers have been attacked, and 11 people have been arrested.
The newspaper reported that the state government was acting on the basis of intelligence inputs which said that there was a possibility of some anti-social elements resorting to protests and activities that might disrupt peace and cause harm to public life/property. Security and surveillance have been beefed up across the state after intelligence reports warned that anti-social elements could fan communal passions.
The denial of permission to RSS to hold the rally is in effect overturned the September 22 order of the Madras high court which had granted permission to the Hindutva outfit to carry out its programme with some riders.
Challenging the government order, RSS counsels moved Madras high court on Thursday, September 29, stating that the government decision was in violation of the earlier. “If a contempt petition is filed, will take it for hearing on Friday, provided the formalities are completed,” said Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, according to New Indian Express.
The saffron organisation also issued the legal notice to the state home secretary Phanindra Reddy, DGP C. Sylendra Babu and other state government officials, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for disobeying the court order, PTI reported.
The RSS said the proposed march was to commemorate RSS Founding Day (it was founded on Vijayadasami in 1925), B.R. Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary and the 75th year of India’s independence. The saffron outfit said the proposed marches were to promote peace and harmony, according to Hindustan Times.
According to the state government order, even ‘counter marches’ planned by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India on October 2 cannot be taken out. The ‘counter march’, according to organisers, was to promote social harmony and “expose” the RSS.
VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said it was “shocking” to note that RSS, “the organisation that killed Mahatma Gandhi”, was organising marches on his birth anniversary. “We are not here to attack the religious beliefs of ordinary Hindus. We are only identifying Hindus affiliated to Sangh Parivar for their anti-people politics,” he had said.