On Tuesday, the Madras High Court ruled that Tamil Nadu Police will issue permits for the RSS centenary rallies at 128 sites across the state on Oct 25 and Nov 1. The court directed the organisation to follow the dos and don’ts drafted in 2025, and warned that any breach could prompt police action.
The judge cautioned that police cannot deny permission on the basis of mosques lining proposed routes, noting that such reasoning risks painting the Muslim community in a negative light. He questioned why the RSS has faced repeated restrictions in the state.
RSS must now submit a list of the 128 proposed locations, the expected number of participants, and comply with the 2025 guidelines. The police cited public inconvenience, as the rallies fall around Diwali and Vijayadashami, but the court said the state must prove a concrete threat.
Tamil Nadu has long tightened restrictions on RSS marches, citing intelligence, potential clashes, and law‑and‑order concerns, especially after last year's violent incidents. The decision also reflects the ideological clash between the RSS‑backed BJP and the Dravidian parties that dominate the state.
RSS functionaries are expected to meet with the State Public Prosecutor before finalising routes. The police will monitor compliance, and a final review will be conducted before the rallies; the state must prove that the guidelines are met or face enforcement.