Madras High Court clears RSS route marches in Tamil Nadu for 25 October and 1 November
The Madras High Court on 16 October disposed of the RSS plea over denied permissions after the state said marches on 25 October and 1 November could go ahead, subject to police modifications.
The Madras High Court on Friday, 16 October 2026, allowed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold route marches in Tamil Nadu on 25 October and 1 November, according to Hindustan Times and LiveLaw. Justice V. Lakshminarayanan disposed of the RSS’s petition after the Advocate General told the court that the state agreed to the marches, subject to modifications by local police.
What the court recorded
The petition was filed by V.G. Jagadeesan, the RSS’s North Tamil Nadu secretary, who challenged police orders refusing permission for processions and public meetings linked to the organisation’s Vijayadashami celebrations. According to Hindustan Times, the RSS had sought permission for 18 October, 25 October and 1 November as alternative dates.
Both outlets reported that the court directed police to coordinate with the organisers and settle timings and locations by Monday, 19 October. Hindustan Times reported that the court recorded the routes, organisers, participant numbers and venues submitted by the RSS as part of its order, along with the organisation’s undertaking to comply with conditions imposed in earlier judicial proceedings. LiveLaw reported that the court told organisers to apply well in advance and told police to decide applications as they are filed in future.
Grounds for the earlier refusals
Hindustan Times reported that the police had rejected the applications citing places of worship of other communities along the routes, statues of rationalist leaders, traffic congestion, loudspeakers and possible law-and-order problems. According to both reports, the judge said these were reasons the court had considered and disapproved in earlier proceedings. LiveLaw also reported that the police referred to the Tamil Nadu Police (Reforms) Act, 2013, and that the court said earlier rulings had held a state law could not be used to remove the organisation’s right to hold a route march.
Background
Hindustan Times reported that the RSS has been seeking court permission for route marches in the state since 2022, and that the High Court has previously recognised the right to conduct such marches subject to lawful restrictions. It also cited a 2023 order of another bench saying public roads are open to everyone irrespective of religion, caste or creed.
The reports reviewed do not include a statement from the Tamil Nadu police or the state government outside the Advocate General’s submission in court.
What happens next
Police are to finalise timings and venues with the organisers by 19 October. The marches are scheduled for 25 October and 1 November, subject to any modifications police make based on local conditions.
Perspectives
Listed in no particular order and given equal space. Inclusion is not endorsement.
The petitioner says
- That the RSS has been denied permission for route marches in Tamil Nadu since 2022 and has had to approach the court each time, as LiveLaw reported.
- That it challenged the police orders refusing marches and public meetings proposed for 18 October, 25 October and 1 November, Hindustan Times and LiveLaw reported.
The state says
- That the marches on 25 October and 1 November can be permitted, subject to modifications suggested by local police based on prevailing conditions, as the Advocate General told the court.
- That the police had cited places of worship along the routes, statues, traffic congestion, loudspeakers and possible law-and-order problems, according to Hindustan Times.
