T.N. Congress Committee human rights wing moves Madras High Court seeking permission for mini-marathon

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee's (TNCC) human rights wing has petitioned the Madras High Court for permission to organize a 2.5 km mini-marathon between Injambakkam and Akkarai junction on East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai. The event aims to celebrate the 124th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister and Congress leader K. Kamaraj.

Justice V. Lakshminarayanan instructed a government counsel to seek further instructions by September 3, 2026. TNCC South Chennai East district president S. Selvakumar filed an affidavit, claiming that the marathon would commence at the World Peace Temple in Injambakkam, take an U-turn at Akkarai junction, and conclude at the same location.

Party leaders, including TNCC president Manickam Tagore, two Congress ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and senior party officials have agreed to participate. Selvakumar assured the police that the event would be conducted in a disciplined manner, causing no disturbance to the public or traffic. However, the police refused permission, citing that only non-governmental organizations can obtain such authorization, unlike the Kalaignar Memorial Marathon organized by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

Selvakumar argued that discriminating against the TNCC's human rights wing alone would be unjust. The marathon is planned to commence between 5:30 am and 8:30 am to minimize inconvenience to the general public.