‘What is your fear?': Madras HC pulls up Tamil Nadu govt over denying RSS march

Justice V Lakshminarayanan asked why successive governments in Tamil Nadu had denied permission for the RSS’s annual route marches.

Updated on: Oct 15, 2026, 09:52:23 IST

By Ayesha Arvind

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Madras high court on Wednesday questioned the Tamil Nadu government’s repeated refusal to allow route marches by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, asking why the State was treating its own citizens as enemies and what it feared from the processions.

The observations by court came during the hearing of a petition filed by RSS member VG Jagadeesan. (ANI)

Justice V Lakshminarayanan asked why successive governments in Tamil Nadu had denied permission for the RSS’s annual route marches.

“What is your fear? Every year they (RSS) are coming (seeking permission for rallies) and the Court is granting. What is so exceptional in 2026? Has there been any violence so far in their march?” .

It directed the petitioner’s counsel to meet the state public prosecutor on Wednesday to discuss dates, timings and routes, and posted the matter for further hearing October 15.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ayesha Arvind
Ayesha Arvind is a Senior Assistant Editor specialising in legal and judicial reportage. She covers High Courts and tribunals across southern India, and believes that important legal developments do not only come from New Delhi. Her work focuses on bringing significant decisions and developments from the region to a wider audience and explaining what they mean beyond the courtroom. She tries to make legal material accessible by translating legal jargon into clear, readable prose and putting pleas, lawsuits, judgments and legal developments in context. She also looks at their political realities and practical consequences for people. Ayesha is committed to the standards of integrity journalism requires. She places a premium on accuracy and fairness, and believes that journalism's powerful voice must be tempered by humility and a sense of proportion. Over almost two decades in journalism, she has covered law and order, civil law, crime and other areas of legal affairs. Her work includes breaking news, legal affairs stories, online analysis and commentary. Ayesha is deeply interested in the law, court judgments and the Constitution because they shape everyday life. She believes every citizen should have a basic understanding of them. What she enjoys most about covering courts is that every story brings something new to learn.Read More

Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times