Did the RSS defy Madras HC order in carrying out rallies?

Image: ANI
 

Amidst heavy police deployment, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on November 6, carried out its rallies at three locations-Cuddalore, Kallakurichi and Perambalur districts of Tamil Nadu, reported ANI. Some pictures of these rallies in the ANI reports showed some members holding lathis and the rallies were carried out in the streets, both of which were restricted by the Madras High Court’s November 4 order.

The right-wing outfit had sought permission to carry out rallies in 50 places, which was denied by the state police however, the Madras High Court had  allowed the same in 44 places. Yet, the RSS was irked by the High Court’s November 4 order for the limitations it placed on carrying out the rallies which led them to declare that they would cancel the rallies altogether. “Why would we organize marches across the state if we can’t hold it on the street and if we can’t carry lathis?” a senior RSS leader in Tamil Nadu had commented.

The High Court bench of Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan, while giving permission to hold the rallies in 44 places imposed the following restrictions:

i.                 The procession and public meetings should be conducted in a compounded premises such as Ground or Stadium. It is made clear that while proceeding to conduct procession and public meeting, the participants shall go by walk or by their respective vehicles without causing any hindrance to the general public and traffic.

ii.                During the program, nobody shall either sing songs or speak ill on any individuals, any caste, religion, etc.,

iii.               Those who participate in the program shall not for any reason talk or express anything in favour of organizations banned by Government of India. They should also not indulge in any act disturbing the sovereignty and integrity of our country.

iv.               The program should be conducted without causing any hindrance to public or traffic.

v.                The participants shall not bring any stick, lathi or weapon that may cause injury to any one…

              … ix.           In the procession, the processionists shall not by any manner                   offend the sentiments of any

 religious, linguistics, cultural and other groups.

The court’s order may be read here:

On November 6,  more than 2000 policemen and home guards including Kanchipuram Range DIG Satya Priya, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu, Tirupattur, District Superintendents of Police, and 3 Additional Superintendents of Police, 12 Deputy Superintendents of Police, over 100 Police Inspectors and Assistant Inspectors were deployed for security, reported ANI.

There has been a lot of back and forth that has led to these RSS marches since the state police was denying permission for the same across the state citing law and order issues due to the banning of Popular Front of India (PFI) to be a terrorist organization. When RSS went to court, it had initially planned to hold the rallies on October 2, however, the same had to be cancelled due to denial of permission, despite the Madras High Court allowing the same. RSS then filed a contempt of court petition and the November 4 order was a consequence of the same.

RSS training in public school?

In October, a video was circulating on social media of a group of men reportedly belonging to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) conducting training within the premises of a corporation (civic body) school at RS Puram near Coimbatore. The RSS claimed it did not conduct any training inside the school and the volunteers were involved only in cleaning activity.

Commissioner of the Coimbatore Corporation, M Prathap told the Indian Express that the civic body does not grant permission for any social, political or religious gathering in schools and also added that it is investigating the incident. He added that the school headmaster was sent a show cause notice in connection to the incident.

Related:

RSS training in corporation school, Coimbatore after push for multiple rallies across Tamil Nadu

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Madras HC directs TN Police to give permission to RSS march on Oct 2