CHENNAI: Around 8,000 activists of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who intended to take out a route march to commemorate the 1,000th coronation year of Chola king Rajendra Chola outside Rajrathinam stadium in Egmore, were arrested by the police on Sunday.
The members who had gathered on the Rukmini Lakshmipathy Road in Egmore under heavy police cover, included women and little children, majority of whom were sporting the RSS’ khaki shorts and white shirt.
Speaking at the rally, S Viswanathan, organising secretary of Vidya Bharati, the educational wing of RSS, said Rajendra Chola’s 1,000th coronation will be celebrated across the country. “Rajendra Chola was the first king to use ships and spread the word on Hinduism across the seas to Malaysia, Brunei and other island nations,” Viswanathan said.
Before long, the cadre, who according to the police had defied orders of the High Court, which had granted permission for the rally, courted arrest.
They were ferried on MTC buses to marriage halls and Rajarathinam stadium, and were released after discussions between senior Sangh leaders and senior police officials. The arrested persons were released after 7 pm.