CHENNAI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has approached Madras High Court seeking permission to take out a procession on its foundation day on November 9, after the police denied permission for the event in the city as well as in the districts.
This is the first time that the RSS is holding processions in the State to mark the occasion. Seven district units of the RSS have approached the High Court.
The RSS has sought permission for the processions in Chennai, Coimbatore, Karur, Tuticorin, Thuckalay, Tiruvarur and Tenkasi.
The saffron organisation contended that while the outfit was being denied permission, other political and social organisations are being allowed to hold similar rallies and functions. Such rallies, said the RSS, were taken out in all the States including Jammu and Kashmir. Justice V Ramasubramanian, before whom the petitions came up for hearing on Monday, issued notices to the police and district authorities. Additional Solicitor-General P Rajagopalan suggested that the court use the opportunity to lay down guidelines to be followed for officials as well as organisers of such programmes.
According to the petitioners it is unfortunate that only in Tamil Nadu permission is denied to conduct the procession, which is held in a peaceful manner.
To substantiate their contention, the petitioners also cited various court orders which stated that while police had the power to control and regulate processions, they did not have power to clamp a ban on processions.