Chennai: The Madras High Court set aside single judge order imposing conditions on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route march on Friday. The single judge earlier ordered to conduct the route march within compounded premises like grounds.
On Friday, the Madras HC bench of Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq allowed a batch of pleas challenging the single judge order. During the hearing, the bench said that the state should uphold the freedom of speech and expression granted to citizens.
It also told RSS to file an application for holding the route march on three different dates. The court also directed Tamil Nadu police to allow RSS to conduct route marches across the state on the public road.
According to ANI, “Madras High Court directs Tamil Nadu police to permit Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to take route marches in various districts across the State on public roads.”
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Earlier, the single bench order restricted the route march within compounded premises like ground or stadium. The court also told the participants not to bring any stick, lathi, or weapon that may cause injury to anyone.
On the other hand, RSS as per a report on Livelaw submitted that public procession is an acceptable manner of exercising one's freedom of speech and expression. Therefore, the state government has the duty to permit the same.
Meanwhile, the RSS initially organised a route march on October 2, 2022. However, Tamil Nadu government refused to give permission citing law and order situation. Later, Madras HC directed the state to give permission for organising the march on November 6, 2022. However, the march was postponed due to other reasons.