The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Wednesday, November 23, moved the Madras High Court once again, challenging Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan’s November 4 order that stated that the RSS route marches and meetings should be conducted in compounded premises such as grounds or stadiums.

The appeal has been made by a man identified as Subramaniam. In his petition, he also sought punishment from the state government officials including the state home secretary, the Director General of Police, the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner and the inspector attached to the Korattur police for not complying with the court’s earlier order.

The initial order granted the RSS permission to conduct the route marches on October 2. The RSS, in its latest petition, stated, “The order of the judge in the contempt petition modifying the original order passed on the writ petition, that too, after dismissing the review petitions, is per se illegal and without jurisdiction conferred under the Contempt of Courts Act.”

Justice Ilanthiraiyan, in his November 4 order, imposed conditions on the way in which the march route was to be conducted. He said that the marches could be conducted in 44 of the 50 places where permission was sought. He further added in his order that they should be conducted inside compound premises like a ground or stadium.

Soon after the order was issued, the RSS cancelled the route marches in all but three places where they were permitted to have an outdoor march. The restrictions were placed by the court taking into account the concerns raised by the state police, who stated that the law and order situation could be hampered if the route marches were conducted.

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India today