Tamil Nadu’s DMK government has shown consistent hostility towards the RSS and BJP, demonstrating zero tolerance for their presence and growth in the state. Every year, during the Path Sanchalan or annual route march, the organisation is compelled to fight legal battles from the High Court to the Supreme Court. On each occasion, the courts have admonished the state, questioning why they are forced to intervene repeatedly. Similarly, for Vinayagar Chathurthi celebrations, the government imposes unreasonable restrictions and hurdles, making it difficult for devotees to freely celebrate.
This year marks the centenary of the RSS. Unlike in the past, the organisation did not plan a route march but instead sought to reach people through smaller, localised events. Yet, on October 2, Tamil Nadu police, acting on the instructions of their political masters, arrested hundreds of RSS workers who were peacefully celebrating Vijayadashami and the centenary year across the state.
In Chennai, police detained 47 swayamsevaks near Porur after they conducted a Guru Puja and a special Shakha training session at the Ayyappanthangal Government Higher Secondary School. According to the police, the gathering had no prior permission. Another account reported that “Porur Police (SRMC) arrested 39 RSS members near Sri Ramachandra Hospital and Medical College, stating that the arrests were made solely on the grounds of conducting events without ‘official approval’. No violence or disturbance was reported in connection with the gathering.” Critics allege that the usual excuses such as proximity to churches or mosques were once again invoked to justify minority appeasement, despite repeated court strictures.
🚨 Tamil Nadu Police detained 39 RSS members near Porur, Chennai, after they held a Guru Puja & special Shakha training at Ayyappanthangal Govt Higher Secondary School without prior permission. pic.twitter.com/043XCfvvpi
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) October 2, 2025
Sangh functionaries said the gatherings were part of the RSS centenary celebrations, and the arrests have sparked state-wide attention over the selective enforcement of permissions for cultural and religious events.
சென்னையில் RSS பேரணி; 39 பேர் கைது #RSS #RssArest #srmc #Chanakyaa
Stay informed with the latest news through Chanakyaa via https://t.co/sbYbLDGPqW pic.twitter.com/YdBVlstVBa
— சாணக்யா (@ChanakyaaTv) October 2, 2025
Former TN BJP president and current Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan strongly condemned the arrests. In her statement, she said:
“I strongly condemn Tamil Nadu Govt @CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin for arresting #RSS swayamsevaks, who were conducting a peaceful Shakha in Chennai on Vijayadashami, marking the 100th centenary year celebration of the RSS. This arrest is highly condemnable and undemocratic.”
She further added: “In TN, the @mkstalin government turns a blind eye to daily anti-social activities and the deteriorating law and order situation, but national, traditional, spiritual, and patriotic cultural activities are curtailed. This reveals the anti-national mindset of @arivalayam.”
Concluding her statement, Dr Tamilisai appealed for the immediate release of all arrested swayamsevaks. She personally met the detained RSS workers, expressed her moral support, and questioned police officials over the arbitrary arrests.
I strongly condemn Tamil Nadu Govt @CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin for arresting #RSS Swayamsevaks, who were conducting a peaceful Shakha in a ground today in Chennai where they have been conducting for many yrs in the past but today—particularly on Vijayadashami day which marks the…
— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisai4BJP) October 2, 2025
TN BJP chief Nainar Nagendran also condemned the arrests, stating that the nationalist RSS workers’ selfless and patriotic work cannot be suppressed by false police cases. He noted that RSS drills in Chennai have been conducted for years without disturbing the public.
இன்று ஆர்.எஸ்.எஸ். நூற்றாண்டு விழா கொண்டாடப்பட்டுக் கொண்டிருக்கின்ற நேரத்தில், ஆர்.எஸ்.எஸ். சகோதரர்கள் நடத்திக் கொண்டிருந்த பயிற்சி மற்றும் தியான நிகழ்ச்சியை காவல் துறையினர் திடீரென இடையூறு செய்து, அவர்களை கைது செய்து மண்டபத்தில் வைத்துள்ளனர். இது வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கத்தக்கது.… pic.twitter.com/HLzXnKNapH
— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisai4BJP) October 2, 2025
Hindu Munnani, through its state president Kadeswara Subramaniam, strongly criticised the police action. He said: “The arrest of RSS pramukhs and workers is the height of fascist oppression. For over 100 years, the RSS has served society, reaching first during natural calamities to provide rescue and relief. The organisation, known for its selfless service to humanity, began its centenary celebrations on Vijayadashami. When a special Shakha was planned in Chennai’s Ayyappanthangal, police arrested everyone present. Similarly, in Ambur, Tirupattur district, police arrested swayamsevaks even before the programme began.”
He added that the DMK government’s act of arresting RSS workers on Vijayadashami day was “unacceptable, undemocratic, and autocratic”. He appealed to all democratic-minded citizens to condemn the government’s behaviour.
Over the years, the RSS has been compelled to seek court permissions for its activities, despite constitutional guarantees of freedom of assembly and expression. This year, having opted for smaller commemorations instead of mass marches, the arrest of its men on flimsy grounds has been widely condemned.
Meanwhile, the Avadi Police Commissionerate justified its actions, stating that around 40 RSS swayamsevaks “trespassed” into the Ayyappanthangal Government Higher Secondary School without prior permission on October 2. A case of trespassing was registered following a complaint from the school authorities, and the men were later released.
This is not the first time the DMK regime has obstructed Sangh activities. From Thandaiyarpuram (1980), Triplicane (1982), Erode (1985), Madurai (1989), Thellaru and Thirubunavasal (1992), Thiruvannamalai (1997), Chennai and Namakkal (1998), to Karur, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Ambasamudram, Virudhunagar, Thirukovilur and Ariyalur (2001), denials became routine. In recent years, the DMK government has repeatedly blocked Path Sanchalan, forced RSS to approach courts in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and even faced Supreme Court reprimands for contempt. The pattern is clear—year after year, location after location, DMK has displayed systematic hostility towards RSS, exposing its fascist intolerance.
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