Madras HC Permits RSS Marches at 128 Locations in Tamil Nadu
The Madras High Court has allowed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to hold processions at 128 locations across Tamil Nadu on October 25 and November 2. Sunday's route marches in Chennai and nearby areas are the first under this order.
In Chennai and its suburbs, the RSS has chosen seven sites for Sunday's processions: Thiruvottiyur, Kolathur, Egmore, Korattur, Ayyappanthangal, Medavakkam and Chromepet.
These marches are linked to the organisation's yearly Vijayadashami events, which traditionally feature uniformed volunteers marching through the streets, followed by public meetings where speakers address participants and supporters. The Egmore procession will start at 4 pm near the Ramada Hotel and finish near the Rajaratnam Stadium, where a public meeting will follow. The Kolathur march is scheduled to begin at 3 pm from the Kamaraj statue in Peravallur.
The organisation has set different times and venues for each march. Participants are expected to assemble at these points before the processions start.
The court order was issued on a petition by Jagadeeshan, the state secretary of the RSS. He filed the plea after the state government declined to approve the proposed programmes. Hearing the petition, the High Court permitted marches at 128 locations on the two fixed dates. The organisation had sought approval for events across the state as part of its centenary observance.
The RSS was established on Vijayadashami in 1925 and marked 100 years in 2025. It is now entering its second century with programmes in different parts of the country. The organisation says route marches have been conducted in Tamil Nadu for nearly seven decades, although permissions have often been disputed.
Earlier, during the DMK government's tenure, the organisation moved the court after being denied permission. The marches were eventually held only after judicial approval, following proceedings that reached the Supreme Court.
Marches not covered by Sunday's schedule will be held on November 2, completing the planned events at all 128 locations.