The Madras High Court on Wednesday questioned the Tamil Nadu government’s repeated refusal to allow the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold route marches, pointing out that the organisation had been permitted to conduct such events even in Jammu and Kashmir.
Justice V Lakshminarayanan observed that the state government was refusing permission for processions organised by different groups, including the RSS and Dravidar Kazhagam, leaving them with no option but to approach the court. “This government is against any procession. They’re denying permission for Dravidar Kazhagam and for RSS,” the court orally remarked. The court also criticised the government’s approach towards public demonstrations, saying it appeared to treat citizens as adversaries. It further noted that RSS route marches continued to face rejection regardless of which government was in power. “The government is seeing citizens as enemies. The observations came during the hearing of a petition filed by RSS member VG Jagadeesan.
He sought directions to the police to consider his representation and grant permission for route marches on October 18, October 25, November 1, or any other dates.
“If they (RSS) is able to have a march in a terrorist infested place like Jammu and Kashmir, why is the Tamil Nadu police denying permission to them every year?” the court orally asked, as per LiveLaw . Whichever government is coming up, they’re rejecting,” the court orally further said as per LiveLaw .
