'State Must Uphold Freedom Of Speech', Says Madras HC, Allows RSS Route March

A division bench of the Madras High Court comprising of Justices R Mahadevan and Mohammed Shaffiq has directed the Tamil Nadu Police authorities to grant permission for the RSS route march in the state.

The bench said that state has to protect the freedom of speech.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been directed to file fresh applications for carrying out the route march on three different dates, while directing the authorities to allow the route marches on any of such dates in various districts across the state.

The appeal filed by RSS functionaries challenged the single judge order which had previously directed RSS to conduct the procession in compounded premises such as a ground or a stadium.

It was also directed that participants should not bring stick, lathi, weapon or anything that may cause injury.

During the arguments, Senior Advocate NL Raja representing RSS contended that the state government is trying to stamp out RSS, through the discriminatory order.

It was argued that public procession is an acceptable form of exercising one’s freedom of speech and expression and the state has a duty to permit the same.