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CPI(M), between October 21 and 30, plans to conduct rallies across Tamil Nadu as part of its propaganda campaign against religious polarisation and Centre's pro-corporate policies
The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu Police department to consider the request made by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) to conduct rallies throughout the state from October 21 to 30. The purpose of these rallies is to promote their agenda against religious polarization and the pro-corporate policies of the central government.
The single judge bench of Justice G. Jayachandran issued this direction in response to a writ petition filed by K. Balakrishnan, the State secretary of CPI(M).
The petition sought direction to the Director General of Police (DGP) to grant permission for the party's propaganda campaign and rallies. The DGP had previously issued proceedings on October 17, advising the petitioner to submit individual representations to local law enforcement authorities responsible for the respective towns or districts. The consideration of these representations would depend on the local law and order situation in those areas.
The court was informed by the government counsel that the DGP also shared copies of these proceedings with the Inspectors General of Police in all four zones of the state and the Commissioners of Police. These officials were tasked with making the appropriate decisions as and when individual representations were received regarding the permission for the CPI(M) campaign and rallies.
Following these developments, the judge instructed the counsel for the writ petitioner, to ensure prompt submission of individual representations to local police heads. These representations should include details about the date, time, and location of the rallies and should be evaluated based on the guidelines provided by the DGP, court ordred.
In his affidavit, Balakrishnan informed the court that the CPI(M) was established during the seventh congress of the Communist Party of India, which took place from October 31 to November 7, 1964, in Kolkata. Since its inception, the party has celebrated its formation day every year by organizing various programs to advance its goals of socialism and communism.
For this year, the Tamil Nadu unit of the CPI(M) has planned a propaganda campaign between October 21 and 30. The campaign aims to expose the political agenda of religious fanaticism practiced by the central government, its policies that are seen as detrimental to the poor and working class, anti-constitutional activities, and the polarization of the masses along religious lines.
Although a representation was submitted to the DGP on October 10 requesting permission for the campaign and associated rallies, the petitioner expressed concerns that permission might be denied, possibly on the grounds of other political parties or organizations being granted similar privileges for their own rallies.
Case Title: K.Balakrishnan Vs. The State
[Inputs: The Hindu]
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