Supreme Court to Permit RSS Rally on Nov 19 or Nov 26
The Indian Supreme Court has consented to the conduct of a flag march by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Tamil Nadu, giving the state government the discretion to choose between November 19 or November 26 for the event, contingent on the approval of the march’s route. The decision arrived during the hearing of an appeal by the state against the Madras High Court’s decision that allowed the marches at various locations.
The bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datt, stipulated that the march’s organizers are to present their preferred route by November 9, with the state expected to finalize and communicate the route by November 15. RSS’s counsel promised cooperation with state authorities regarding the date and route. Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan, representing RSS, expressed their intent to proceed with the march.
On the other side, representing Tamil Nadu, Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Mukul Rohatgi, and Additional Advocate General Amit Anand Tiwari voiced concerns over potential violence and community tensions. They pointed out that a previously suggested route would have led the march past mosques, which could incite clashes. They recommended limiting the marches to one per district instead of the proposed three.
The court acknowledged the RSS’s assurance of peace and cooperation. This comes after the Madras High Court criticized the state government for non-compliance and summoned top officials to a contempt hearing, following a complaint by the RSS for being denied permission for marches.
The state of Tamil Nadu has maintained that the marches could pose a threat to public order, asserting that the restrictions imposed by the state are justified measures to maintain peace.
