The controversy surrounding Tamil Nadu’s DMK government’s refusal to grant permission for the RSS route march, despite the recent court decision, has raised concerns of bias and infringement on constitutional rights. This denial comes despite the recent decision by the Madras High Court to allow the RSS to proceed with its route march, albeit with certain conditions. The DMK government’s refusal stands in stark contrast to its willingness to permit various other political rallies, protests, public meetings, and demonstrations, raising questions about potential bias.
Madras High Court’s Conditional Approval
A single-judge bench and the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had granted permission to the RSS to conduct its annual “pathsanchalan,” which commemorates the 99th foundation year of the RSS. Additionally, the event aimed to celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Saint Ramalinga Swamigal, popularly known as Vadalur Vallalar, and to remember the nationalistic ideas of Swami Vivekananda and Dr BR Ambedkar. The judges issued guidelines and instructed the police to grant permission for the proposed 22nd and 29th route march across the state.
Supreme Court Appeal and Historical Hurdles
However, the police, seemingly defying the court’s orders, denied permission for the RSS route march and filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. This isn’t the first time the RSS route march has faced hurdles, as similar challenges have arisen since 1980 during the rule of the Dravidian parties. Notably, last year, at the insistence of the DMK, its allies, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), opposed the rally. The legal battle escalated to the Supreme Court, which ultimately allowed the RSS to organise the route march in April of that year.
Recent contempt of court petitions, brought before Justice Jayachandran, have further fueled the controversy. However, due to the elapsed time, the petitions were not given urgent consideration. Instead, the court requested the respondents, including the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP), to file their counterarguments and adjourned the matter.
Hindu Munnani Strongly Condemns DMK’s Biased Attitude
Hindu Munnani State President Kadeswara Subramanian has expressed strong condemnation of the DMK government’s actions, alleging a biased attitude towards the RSS. Subramanian argues that the deliberate denial of constitutional rights to the RSS amounts to contempt of court. He emphasised the historical significance of the RSS, stating, “RSS came into existence in 1925 on the auspicious Vijayadasami day, which marked the killing of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. From that day forward, every year, it takes out route marches all over the nation during the past 98 years.”
Subramanian highlighted the unique aspects of the RSS route marches that set them apart from other political events. Unlike other parties or organisations, RSS route marches do not involve hero worship, sloganeering in support of specific individuals, or chants like “Zindabad” or “Murdabad.” They do not carry placards or banners. Instead, the pathsanchalan is carried out by uniformed cadres with the aim of fostering nationalism, spirituality, unity, discipline, devotion, and dedication while instilling moral and dharmic thoughts in the minds of fellow citizens.
Subramanian pointed out that RSS route marches have been held peacefully in various other states, including Kerala, where the Communist Party of India (Marxist) rules, as well as Puducherry, a union territory. In these regions, the RSS received permission from the respective state governments. These events were widely reported in mainstream media. He also raised the question of why the Tamil Nadu government claimed issues of law and order that were seemingly non-existent in neighbouring states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. This inconsistency suggests an inability to govern effectively. Importantly, Subramanian highlighted that over the years, RSS route marches have taken place without incident, leaving no room for complaints.
Subramanian further said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been grappling with consistent efforts to deny permission for its annual route march, a situation that has raised concerns of ulterior motives. Hindu Munnani leaders have strongly criticised the actions of the DMK government, alleging that these denials go against democratic norms and amount to contempt of court. They argue that the DMK government’s stubborn stance reflects an autocratic attitude and a gross violation of democratic principles.
Hindu Munnani leader Subramanian pointed out glaring double standard in the Tamil Nadu government’s approach. Despite permitting daily processions, demonstrations, roadblocks, conferences, and protests on various issues, including those related to the Palestine-Israel conflict, the government had refused to grant permission for the RSS route march. This discrepancy is seen as a sign of aversion by the Dravidian parties towards the RSS. The leaders believe that the DMK government’s reluctance to grant permission is rooted in jealousy of the RSS’s discipline, decorum, devotion, and the blend of national and spiritual doctrines that underpin its activities.
Hindu Munnani Takes On CM Stalin to Task
Hindu Munnani leaders did not mince words in their criticism of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. They questioned whether Stalin is under the illusion that he is akin to the ruthless, autocratic Russian leader, Joseph Stalin. The Chief Minister’s statements suggesting he would behave like a fascist drew particular attention. The leaders cautioned him to consider the historical consequences faced by leaders who disregarded democratic norms, a clear reference to the potential pitfalls of such a path.
Hindu Munnani has urged the Tamil Nadu government to set aside biased and partisan ideologies and permit RSS route marches. They emphasise the importance of adhering to court directions, particularly for an elected democratic government. This call for fairness comes amid an ongoing legal battle as the RSS seeks to exercise its right to conduct its annual route march.
It is essential to note that the RSS has a history of facing hurdles in organising its route marches in Tamil Nadu. Over the years, permission has been denied in various locations. In 1980, the RSS route march couldn’t proceed in Thandaiyarpuram. Similar denials occurred in Chennai Purasawalkam and Kanyakumari Kulasekaram in 1981, Chennai Triplicane in 1982, Erode in 1985, Madurai in 1989, and Thellaru and Thirubunavasal in 1992. Thiruvannamalai in 1997, Chennai and Namakkal in 1998, Karur, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Ambasamudram, Virudhunagar, Thirukovilur, and Ariyalur in 2001, and Erode and Vadalur in 2001 all saw the denial of permission.
In subsequent years, the trend continued with denials in Coimbatore and Madurai in 2003, Chennai and Karaikudi in 2004, Dindigul and Vadalur in 2005, Sivakasi, Nilgiri, Pazhani, and Udankudi in 2008, and Pollachi, Thirubuvanavasal, and Coimbatore in 2009. In 2010, Palakkodu, Thoothukudi, and Coimbatore were affected, as was Pammal and Manali in 2011. The hurdles persisted, with Uthukkotai in 2013 and 14 places in 2014, and finally, in 2016, permission was denied in 14 locations. In 2018, denials extended to Cuddalore, Gobichettipalayam, Chennai, Krishnagiri, Thiruvannamalai, and Thiruvallur.
Despite these obstacles, the RSS has continued to organise route marches. In 2022, even though permission was initially denied, the RSS held its route march in April following orders from the Supreme Court. In 2023, the DMK government again denied approval, appealing to the apex court. Notably, rallies were held in 2017 in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Vellore, and Puducherry with court permission. In 2019, RSS rallies took place in all districts, highlighting the enduring challenges faced by the organisation in the state.
