The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee's human rights wing has taken its fight to the courts after Chennai police refused to grant permission for a commemorative mini-marathon honoring legendary Congress leader and former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. With Kamaraj's 124th birth anniversary approaching, organizers found themselves facing an unexpected roadblock—literally.

Key facts

  • 2.5 km route planned on East Coast Road between Injambakkam and Akkarai junction
  • Event scheduled for September 2026, 5:30-8:30 am to minimize public disruption
  • Approximately 100 participants expected including senior Congress leaders
  • Madras High Court has given government until September 3 to respond

A tribute blocked

The planned marathon was designed as a dignified tribute, beginning and ending at the World Peace Temple in Injambakkam with a simple U-turn at Akkarai junction. Organizers had carefully timed the event for early morning hours to avoid disrupting Chennai's notorious traffic. S. Selvakumar, South Chennai East district president for the TNCC human rights wing, emphasized in his affidavit that participants would maintain discipline and ensure no disturbance to the public.

Selective permission?

What stung organizers most was the police's stated reason for denial: that permission could only be granted to non-governmental organizations, not political parties. This justification raised eyebrows immediately. The affidavit pointedly questioned how the same police department regularly grants permission for the Kalaignar Memorial Marathon organized by the ruling DMK party. The implication of selective treatment hung heavy in the legal documents.

"Denial of permission for TNCC's human rights wing alone would amount to discrimination," the affidavit stated clearly.

Judicial intervention sought

Justice V. Lakshminarayanan of the Madras High Court has now entered the fray, directing government counsel to obtain instructions by September 3. The court's intervention offers hope to organizers who planned this event as more than just a run—it was intended as a moving tribute to Kamaraj's legacy, with party president Manickam Tagore, two Congress ministers, MLAs, and senior leaders all expected to participate.

The clock is now ticking toward Thursday's deadline, with Congress workers watching closely to see if they'll be allowed to honor their legendary leader on the open road.