The Madras High Court on Thursday sharply questioned the police for denying permission to hold a rally carrying the national flag ahead of Independence Day.
The petition was filed by Coimbatore City District BJP president Rameshkumar, after police refused permission for the proposed march. The matter was heard as an urgent case by Justice Lakshmi Narayanan.
During the hearing, the judge raised a series of pointed questions, asking whether carrying the national flag was being treated as an offence and whether such a restriction could be justified as a law-and-order concern. The court also expressed concern over any perception of political bias in granting permissions.
The judge referred to the legacy of Tiruppur Kumaran, who is remembered for sacrificing his life while holding the national flag, and questioned how a rally with the flag could be barred in Tamil Nadu. The court directed that alternative locations for conducting the rally be identified and adjourned the case for further hearing.
