Published Oct 16, 2026 | 5:27 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 16, 2026 | 5:27 PM
The Madras High Court.
The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu police to grant permission for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route marches on 19 October, and subsequent public meetings on October 25 and November 1.
RSS state secretary Jagadeesan had filed a petition seeking permission to conduct route marches at 128 locations across Tamil Nadu on any one of October 18, October 25 or November 1, marking the organisation’s foundation day.
Justice V. Lakshminarayanan heard the case. The Tamil Nadu government informed the court that permission would be granted for the marches on October 25 and November 1. The RSS also assured the court that it would strictly comply with the guidelines previously laid down by the High Court.
Recording these submissions, the court directed the police to grant permission on October 19 for the RSS route marches and the public meetings to follow, without delay. It also instructed the RSS to strictly adhere to the court’s guidelines.
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The judge observed that despite orders passed in cases seeking permission for RSS route marches since 2022, the organisation had repeatedly been compelled to approach the court, likening the situation to the Vikramaditya and Vetala tale.
According to Bar and Bench, it also referred to a 2023 ruling holding that public roads are secular spaces accessible to everyone irrespective of religion, caste or creed.
“It is a classic case of using a scalpel, not for the purpose of an operation, but to kill the patient on whom the operation is sought to be performed,” the Court observed.
“The attitude of the police must not be that of Procrustes,” the judge observed.
The Court emphasised that police authorities should attempt to process applications for approval rather than search for defects to reject them.
Expressing hope that the police would not create circumstances forcing the RSS to return to court for permission in the coming years, the judge disposed of the petition.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
