CHENNAI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has approached the Madras High Court seeking direction to the Tamil Nadu government and police for granting permission to conduct its annual route march, known as “Path Sanchalan,” in 58 locations across the state on October 6. The event, which marks Vijayadasami, holds significance for the organisation as it commemorates the founding of RSS in 1925.
Tirupur RSS Mandal Secretary M Jothiprakash and Dindigul Joint Secretary K Sethuraj filed petitions requesting the court to instruct the police to grant approval for the march. The petitioners argued that their request aligns with an earlier High Court directive issued on January 5, which laid down guidelines for holding such processions. Despite following these guidelines and submitting the necessary applications, they claimed the police had not responded, and timely permission was required to proceed with preparations for the event.
The case came up for hearing before Justice G Jayachandran. After listening to arguments from both sides, the judge granted the government and the police time to review the petitioners’ applications. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on September 24, with the court directing the authorities to consider the applications before September 25.
Reacting to the delay in granting permission, BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan criticised the Tamil Nadu government, accusing it of adopting a “fascist approach.” In a statement, Srinivasan pointed out that the RSS, which celebrates its centenary this year, had been conducting peaceful route marches popularly known as the Path Sanchalan on Vijayadasami across India without any incidents of violence. She argued that while other states permit the annual march without issue, the DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu has consistently denied permission, forcing the RSS to seek legal intervention each year.
Srinivasan highlighted that the RSS has been organising these Path Sanchalan in Tamil Nadu since the 1940s. However, under the current DMK regime, the organisation has repeatedly had to approach the High Court and even the Supreme Court for permission. She also noted that the RSS had filed contempt of court petitions in previous years when the state government denied permission despite court orders.
Srinivasan stated that the RSS had submitted petitions to the Chennai City Commissioner of Police and district superintendents of police, adhering to Supreme Court and High Court guidelines that govern such rallies. She claimed that despite the peaceful nature of these marches over the years, the DMK government is delaying the decision to deny permissions at the last minute, as has been the pattern in previous years.
Highlighting the significance of the march, Srinivasan noted that the RSS rallies resemble military parades, with volunteers marching in uniform accompanied by band music. She emphasized that the marches have consistently been peaceful, even under communist-led governments, which have permitted similar processions. However, Tamil Nadu, under DMK rule, remains the only state denying such permissions, citing reasons like the presence of minority communities, churches, and mosques along the march routes.
In her statement, Srinivasan stressed that India is a democracy where public rallies and meetings, conducted within the law, are guaranteed under the Constitution. She accused the DMK of being part of the I.N.D.I.A bloc that claims to protect the Constitution but, in practice, shows little respect for constitutional rights by denying RSS the right to hold its rallies.
As the RSS approaches its 100th anniversary, Srinivasan highlighted the organization’s role in providing selfless service during natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. She urged the DMK government to consider the RSS petitions in a fair and timely manner, allowing the organization to carry out its peaceful route march.
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