The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by the State of Tamil Nadu, challenging the Madras High Court order that permitted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to take out its route march in Tamil Nadu on rescheduled dates.
Earlier on March 17, the Bench of Justice V. Ramasubramanian and Justice Pankaj Mithal listed the matter for today, after the state government apprised the Apex Court that it has filed a new special leave petition against the original order passed by the Madras High Court on September 22, 2022, which allowed the organisation to hold processions.
Appearing for the state of Tamil Nadu, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi contended that the new SLP has not been listed today and requested to adjourn the matter so that both petitions could be considered together.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route, scheduled to be held on March 5 in Tamil Nadu, was cancelled after the Apex Court adjourned the case on March 3 on a submission by the State on discussion by different parties to arrive at a solution.
The Bench of Justice V. Ramasubramanian and Justice Pankaj Mithal had allowed the State to conduct dialogue with RSS on the proposed routes for March until the next date.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the State, told the court that the government was not opposed to the idea of having the route march, but it cannot be held in every locality.
The Counsel appearing on behalf of RSS opposed the request for adjournment by pointing out that the State had agreed on the last date of hearing to give proposals on alternate routes today.
Rohatgi responded by saying that the state government has decided to first file the SLP and then give the proposals.
The RSS lawyer termed this behaviour as being ‘unfair to the Court’. He said the State of Tamil Nadu was raking up issues by filing a separate SLP. They cannot have it carte blanche.
Rohatgi then mentioned the fake videos on attacks against North Indian migrants as new ‘disturbances’ in the state. Justice Ramasburamanian observed that the issue was settled 10 days ago.
The Counsel further said that the matter concerned the state and was of highest public interest and the court needs to keep its eyes open.
Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani said that since the State was unable to control a terrorist organisation (PFI), they were banning the RSS route march.