The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday denied permission to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold rallies in Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts of Tamil Nadu on October 22, reported news agency ANI. The police had informed that they cannot provide security for the rally in these districts due to events like Pasumpon Thevar Jayanti and Marudu Pandyar Guru Puja.
The RSS had filed a petition in the Madurai branch of the High Court seeking permission to hold rallies in 35 places across the state from October 22 to 29.
The organization is also scheduled to hold rallies and public meetings in several districts of Tamil Nadu on Vijayadashami to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence and Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.
Last year too, the police had denied permission to RSS to hold route march across 45 locations in the state in April. The RSS approached the Madras High Court and was granted permission to hold the rallies. However, the DMK government of Tamil Nadu, citing law and order issues filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court’s order, which was dismissed by the apex court.
After the Supreme Court’s order, the organisation approached the state’s Director General of Police on April 12 and sought permission to hold rallies on either of the three dates – April 14, April 15 and April 16. The police department granted permission for April 16.