Madras HC Allows BJP Bike Rallies In Tamil Nadu To Celebrate Independence Day

Justice G Jayachandran, who presided over the case, not only permitted Independence Day rallies but also issued a directive to the DGP to refrain from denying such permissions in the future.

The court emphasised that regardless of the government’s position it would clarify the legal standing on the matter.

Source : File Photo

The Madras High Court has granted permission to BJP cadres in Tamil Nadu to conduct bike rallies across the state on Thursday, in celebration of Independence Day. The court ruled that this denial was a violation of fundamental rights.

Justice G Jayachandran, who presided over the case, not only permitted the rallies but also issued a directive to the Director General of Police (DGP) to refrain from denying such permissions in the future, provided that the participants ensure the national flag is respected and that traffic and law and order are maintained.

The court’s decision came after the state government, represented by Additional Advocate General (AAG) J Ravindran, argued that the issue was not political. However, the court emphasized that regardless of the government’s position, it would clarify the legal standing on the matter.

The bench, according to a report on Bar and Bench asked, "Why must citizens have to take the court's permission every year to hoist the national flag?"

Justice G Jayachandran issued a directive while ruling on a petition filed by A Krishna Prasath, Coimbatore district secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha, who sought to quash an order from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kovai North. The order had denied permission for a national flag rally involving approximately 200 two-wheelers in four locations within the western Tamil Nadu city on August 15, as reported by PTI.

The State was represented in court by the Director General of Police (DGP).

R C Paul Kanagaraj, the advocate representing the petitioner, noted that the court's ruling was not limited to Coimbatore but was applicable across the entire state.

In his petition, Krishna Prasath argued that Independence Day is a time to honor the significant figures who sacrificed their lives, souls, and minds for the country and the struggles they endured to achieve freedom.