Citing law-and-order issues, DMK government denies permission for RSS rally on October 2

Apart from the RSS rally, the government has also denied permission for any other meeting or procession by any other organisation, including the human chain event that was being organised by the alliance parties of the DMK such as VCK, CPI(M) and CPI on the same day as the RSS rally to promote communal harmony.

A precautionary measure

“At a time when the police department is working round the clock to carry out precautionary measures to maintain law-and-order and prevent any untoward incidents, it is not possible for the government to grant permission for any meeting or procession by any organisation, including the RSS,” a source in the DMK government told South First.

It may be noted that several Molotov cocktail attacks and damaging of vehicles, mostly targeting members of the BJP and RSS, were reported in Tamil Nadu after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided and arrested several leaders of the PFI and its political arm, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), on 22 September.

RSS reacts, in court

Immediately after the Tamil Nadu government refused to grant permission for the RSS route march, counsels of the saffron organisation, in a mention before the Madras High Court, contended that the decision of the government was in violation of the court order.

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan told the lawyers that the matter would be taken up on Friday, if a contempt petition was filed, completing all formalities.

Following the government’s decision, the Tamil Nadu police also filed a petition in the high court seeking a review of the earlier order of the court giving the go-ahead to the RSS for its procession on October 2.

Background to the RSS march

The RSS decided to take out a route march on 2 October across 50 locations in the state followed by a public meeting to celebrate the 75th year of Indian Independence, the birth centenary of BR Ambedkar, as well as Vijayadashami.

The day, however, also marks Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.

According to the RSS, the planned procession would be led by a musical band, and the volunteers would be wearing the RSS uniform (dark olive green trousers, white shirt, cap, belt and black shoes).

Picture of an RSS procession. Credit: Facebook/RSS

Though an application seeking permission for their march was submitted to the police on 25 August, the saffron organisation claimed that they received no response from the department, following which multiple petitions were filed in the court by RSS office-bearers.

Disposing of a batch of petitions filed by the RSS, the Madras High Court on 22 September said it would direct the Tamil Nadu Police to grant permission for the saffron organisation’s proposed route march, but with conditions.

Conditions imposed

These included not singing songs or speaking ill of any individual, caste, religion, etc. Participants should also not indulge in any act disturbing the sovereignty and integrity of the country. They were also prohibited from bringing any stick, lathi, or weapon that might cause injury to anyone.

The court also said participants of the march should not — in any manner — offend the sentiments of any religious, linguistic, cultural, and other groups, warning that the programme should not create any hindrance to the public or traffic.

Political parties unhappy

Several political party leaders in the state were extremely unhappy with the Madras High Court granting permission to the RSS rally on October 2, which also marks the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.

Apart from accusing the RSS of trying to disrupt communal harmony in Tamil Nadu, political leaders pointed that allowing the organisation to conduct a procession on Gandhi Jayanti was an affront to Mahatma Gandhi. Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, was a member of the Hindu Mahasabha and had also been a part of the RSS.

காந்தி பிறந்த தினத்தில் அவரை படுகொலை செய்த ஆர் எஸ் எஸ் சித்தாந்தம் தமிழகத்தில் ஊர்வலம் நடத்த உயர்நீதிமன்றம் அனுமதித்திருப்பது துரதிஷ்டவசமானது. அமைதிப் பூங்காவான தமிழகத்தின் அமைதி,ஒற்றுமை,நல்லிணக்கத்தை குலைக்கும் எந்த முயற்சியையும் நாம் உறுதியோடு எதிர்க்கவேண்டும்.

— Jothimani (@jothims) September 23, 2022

Leaders like Naam Tamilar Katchi chief Seeman and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi founder Prof Jawahirullah asked the state government to appeal against the high court order.

Contending that the decision to grant permission for the RSS rally was taken without looking into the antecedents of the organisation, VCK chief Thirumavalavan filed an appeal against the order.

However, it was rejected by the first bench of the Madras High Court on 28 September, on the ground that only the Supreme Court had the appellate jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

Further, to counter the RSS rally, alliance parties of the DMK, including the VCK, had planned to form a human chain across the state to promote communal harmony.