The Supreme Court of India has dismissed an appeal by the Tamil Nadu government to prevent the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from carrying out rallies in the state. The DMK-led government had challenged a Madras High Court order allowing the RSS to hold marches in the state, citing concerns over law and order and rumors that had triggered panic among Hindi-speaking workers. The state had initially refused permission to the RSS to hold marches to mark “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” and Gandhi Jayanti in October. The restrictions were later removed by a division bench in February, and the state government appealed against the High Court order.
It seems that the Tamil Nadu government had concerns about allowing the RSS march in sensitive locations, but was not completely against the march. The RSS had sought permission to carry out the marches to mark “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” and Gandhi Jayanti in October. The Madras High Court had allowed the RSS to organize marches in enclosed spaces or playgrounds, but this restriction was later removed by a division bench. The state government had appealed against the High Court order, but the Supreme Court has now dismissed their appeal and allowed the RSS to carry out rallies in the state. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of the state government, upholding the division bench’s decision to remove the restrictions on the RSS marches. The court emphasized the importance of the right to protest in a democracy and stated that fundamental rights cannot be restricted based on mere apprehensions. The RSS had sought permission to carry out rallies in Tamil Nadu to mark “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” and Gandhi Jayanti.
