TNCC human rights wing moves HC for nod to Kamaraj memorial mini-marathon
TNCC's human rights wing petitions Madras HC for police permission to hold a 2.5 km mini-marathon on ECR to mark Kamaraj's birth anniversary.
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee's (TNCC) human rights wing has approached the Madras High Court, seeking a directive to police to allow a 2.5 km mini-marathon on the East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai. The event is planned to commemorate the 124th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.
Justice V. Lakshminarayanan, hearing the matter on Tuesday, directed the government counsel to obtain instructions by Thursday. The petitioner, S. Selvakumar, who serves as the South Chennai East district president of the wing, stated in his affidavit that the run would start at the World Peace Temple in Injambakkam, proceed to Akkarai junction, and return to the starting point after a U-turn.
The affidavit noted that TNCC president Manickam Tagore, two Congress ministers, MLAs, and senior party leaders have agreed to participate. Selvakumar assured the court that the event would be conducted in a disciplined manner, without disrupting public movement or traffic.
The court was informed that police refused permission, citing that such approvals are typically granted only to non-governmental organisations, not political parties. The petitioner questioned this stance, pointing out that the DMK's annual Kalaignar Memorial Marathon receives police clearance. He argued that denying permission solely to the TNCC's human rights wing would amount to discrimination.
Selvakumar clarified that only around 100 participants are expected, and the event is scheduled between 5:30 am and 8:30 am to minimise inconvenience to the public.