On 21 August 2024, the Madras High Court delivered a significant blow to the Tamil Nadu state government by authorizing State-wide demonstrations organized by Hindu Munnani to protest against the persecution of minority Hindus in Bangladesh. The court also questioned why protests in Tamil Nadu expressing solidarity with Tamils in Sri Lanka or condemning the genocide in Gaza are allowed, while similar demonstrations addressing attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are not permitted in the state.
These comments from the court come in the backdrop of a Hindu Munnani office-bearer petitioning the Madras High Court, requesting an order for the Tamil Nadu Home Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) to authorize demonstrations across the State to urge the Central government to take immediate action to halt the genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Court Slams DMK Govt
On 16 August 2024, Justice G. Jayachandran instructed a government pleader to gather instructions by 21 August 2024 and explain why the Hindu Munnani’s demonstration requests had been denied. During this period, the court also suggested that the requests be reconsidered. In a subsequent hearing, the bench headed by Justice G. Jayachandran instructed the State police to permit the organization to hold peaceful demonstrations between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on 27 August 2024, provided they do not disrupt road traffic.
Senior counsel G. Karthikeyan, representing Hindu Munnani, informed the court that while many individuals, organizations, and political parties in the country have spoken out about the victims in Gaza, there has been little support for minorities facing violence in Bangladesh. Consequently, Hindu Munnani sought to organize protest demonstrations across Tamil Nadu to urge the Central government to take immediate action to protect Hindus in Bangladesh. However, the State police had initially denied permission for these protests. The government pleader further argued that the situation in Bangladesh had improved since the interim government began addressing the violence, and thus, demonstrations were unnecessary. The advocate also expressed concerns that the protests might provoke unrelated issues.
The judge came down heavily stating, “We have seen demonstrations expressing concern over genocide in Sri Lanka. State had no difficulty in providing permission for those demonstrations,” and also the improvements by the interim government were a recent development, whereas the petitioner had applied for permission to demonstrate as early as 8 August 2024, with the initial reasons for denial being insufficient. He emphasized Hindu Munnani’s democratic right to peaceful protest. The judge ruled that the petitioner organization should proceed with their demonstration. If issues arise, the judge noted, the police could take appropriate action.
Hindu Munnani Post
Consequently, Hindu Munnani, through its official X account, has announced a State-wide demonstration on 27 August 2024, to draw the Central government’s attention to the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh. The organization questioned, “Can’t you see the suffering of Bangladeshi Hindus? nor you considered that this will not happen to us tomorrow?” They urged supporters to join the demonstration on Tuesday, 27 August 2024.
பங்களாதேஷ் இந்துக்களை காப்பாற்றக்கோரி,
இந்துமுன்னணியின் மாநிலம் தழுவிய ஆர்ப்பாட்டம்..#SaveBangladeshiHindus #HinduMunnani #மாநிலம்தழுவியஆர்ப்பாட்டம் pic.twitter.com/Hxl1slpn6a— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 22, 2024
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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