RSS route march: SC reserves order on TN Govt plea against Madras HC order

The Supreme Court reserved its decision on the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal against the Madras High Court’s order directing state police to allow Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route marches in the state on Monday.

After hearing both parties’ submissions, a bench of justices V Ramasubramanian and Pankaj Mithal reserved the order. The court stated that it will take the plea into consideration.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Tamil Nadu government, emphasized the importance of law and order and stated that a balance should be maintained. He stated that neither everything can be prohibited nor everything can be permitted.

In its petition, the Tamil Nadu government stated that there is no absolute right to hold a procession, which is subject to various restrictions.

In a statement, the lawyer said “How can there be the direction that marches can be held wherever desired.” Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the RSS, stated that the state has prohibited the route marches due to the possibility of an attack.

He went on to say that fundamental rights cannot be restricted in this way because of someone else’s deception. “This has earlier passed off peacefully, no complaints were there,” the lawyer said.

RSS Senior Advocate Maneka Guruswamy questioned the status report filed by the Tamil Nadu Government in the matter, saying that public order and reasonable restrictions cannot be reduced to this type of status report. She informed the court of the status report, which stated that RSS processions could only take place in an enclosed area.