Officials say the group failed to obtain permission from educational authorities or police before holding the event, contravening regulations governing the use of public premises for religious or ideological functions. Tamil Nadu’s ruling government, led by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, has similarly asserted that no formal sanction was granted for the gathering.
The detainees were reportedly clad in traditional RSS attire and included both local cadres and visitors from neighbouring districts. Some were arrested at or near the school grounds; others were intercepted en route, Chennai Police say. No injuries or violence have been reported in the process of arrests.
The action is especially sensitive because it coincided with Vijayadashami, a day of significance for the RSS centenary celebrations. The 100th anniversary of the organisation is being marked across the country, with the RSS planning events in multiple states. The detention has drawn rapid political contestation in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu BJP leaders, including former state governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, condemned the arrests as arbitrary and undemocratic. They argue that the RSS has long held cultural and commemorative events at that school ground, often without requiring formal permissions. They called for the immediate release of the arrested members and accused the DMK government of selectively policing ideological assemblies.
In response, the state government and police have defended their actions as a matter of administrative compliance rather than political suppression. Officials argue that public institutions, particularly schools, must not host religious or ideological activities without clearance, especially given Tamil Nadu’s long-standing commitment to secularism in education. The government’s statement emphasised that the ruling party has no bias against any organisation, but that rules must be upheld uniformly.
Legal experts observe that the case could test constitutional boundaries between freedom of assembly and the state’s right to regulate use of public institutions. One constitutional law scholar noted that the Supreme Court has held that the government may impose “reasonable restrictions” on assemblies when they interfere with public order or the rights of others, but that blanket bans or disparate enforcement are vulnerable to challenge.
Observers also point out the timing: as the RSS marks its centenary, the fraternity of its events—especially in states where it is less politically influential—may face tighter scrutiny. In Tamil Nadu, where the DMK has stayed in opposition to the Sangh’s ideological influence, this incident may shape local narratives around secularism, state control, and religious-cultural assertion.
State-level discourse has quickly shifted to polarised messaging. While BJP voices accuse the government of fearing RSS expansion, DMK sources counter that no group enjoys special privileges over state institutions. Some commentators perceive the arrests as a warning to organisations seeking to push religious or ideological presence into public school spaces.
On the ground, questions remain. Which legal provisions justify the detention? Will the detainees be formally charged under the Indian Penal Code or any special acts governing public order? Will courts grant them relief or issue directives against further enforcement? As the situation unfolds, it may prompt judicial review and clearer guidelines for regulating gatherings on government property during culturally or ideologically significant dates.