RSS members plea seeking permission for procession: Madras High Court calls for State government's response

The Madras High Court on Monday sought the Tamil Nadu government's response on a plea by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) seeking permission to conduct a procession led by a "musical band," and a public meeting on October 2 [G Subramanian vs State of Tamil Nadu]..The petitioners told Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan that they had written to the Chennai police and other concerned State government authorities seeking permission, but were yet to receive a response.He also said that some members had sought permission from the local police for a similar event in 2014 but had been denied permission..The plea by the RSS Chennai area secretary, and eight others claimed that the Chennai police was "prejudiced against the RSS," and urged the High Court to direct them to grant permission for the event. "RSS is not a banned organisation. It is a patriotic, nationalist, cultural organisation patronised by the majority of people in our nation," the plea said..The petition further stated that the respondents were granting permission for processions, and public meetings to various other political parties."Only with regards to the RSS the respondents are prejudiced and not granting permission," it said..The RSS, as per the plea, planned to commemorate 75 years of Indian independence, the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar and the occasion of Vijayadasmi- all together on October 2."All members and volunteers will be wearing the uniform of olive green shorts, white shirt, belt, cap, and black shoes."Further it was stated that the procession led by a musical band will take place at 3 pm, and a meeting will be held between 6 pm and 7.30 pm.The additional public prosecutor Raj Tilak however, told the single-judge that the police had received several similar applications and these would be decided by 22 September, 2022.Accordingly, the hearing was adjourned to 22 September, 2022..The petition was filed through through advocates B Rabu Manohar. Senior counsel G Rajgopalan and S Prabhakaran appeared for the petitioners.