Bengaluru, October 21, 2026: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has asked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to formally seek police permission for its proposed Vijayadashami route marches in Bengaluru on October 25. Kharge said that merely informing the authorities about a procession does not amount to obtaining official clearance.
His remarks came after communications from RSS units regarding the proposed marches circulated on social media. He stressed that organisers must follow the prescribed procedure and secure approval from the competent authorities before proceeding.
‘Informing Is Not the Same as Seeking Permission’
Kharge said that sending letters to the Home Department or asking the police to make necessary arrangements does not constitute a formal application for permission.
He urged RSS organisers to submit applications in the prescribed format, provide details of the proposed routes and arrangements, and wait for the authorities’ decision.
RSS Plans Marches at Multiple Locations
The issue concerns Vijayadashami route marches planned by RSS units in Bengaluru on October 25.
One communication reportedly referred to a procession starting from Apollo National School Ground in Chowdeshwari Nagar, Laggere, while another concerned a proposed march in Mahalakshmi Layout.
The proposed events have drawn attention to the procedures governing public processions and the role of police in approving and managing such gatherings.
Letters Requested Police Cooperation
The communications shared by Kharge reportedly informed local police about the proposed routes and requested assistance with arrangements.
However, the Home Minister argued that notifying authorities and formally applying for permission are two separate processes. He maintained that organisers must complete the required formalities rather than assume that informing the police is sufficient.
Kharge Cites Scale of RSS Route Marches
Kharge referred to the RSS Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha Annual Report for 2025–26, which reportedly recorded 562 route marches involving more than 2.21 lakh uniformed participants across Karnataka.
He said processions of this scale require advance planning and coordination, including police deployment, traffic management, crowd control, security arrangements and logistical support.
The government has emphasised the importance of following established procedures to ensure public safety and minimise disruption.
Police Permission Generally Required
According to police sources cited by The New Indian Express, route marches generally require permission from the jurisdictional police station.
Authorities assess factors such as the proposed route, expected crowd size, traffic conditions and law-and-order requirements before deciding whether to permit a procession.
The final decision on the Bengaluru marches will depend on the relevant approval process.
BJP Questions Karnataka Government’s Position
BJP spokesperson S. Prakash responded to Kharge’s remarks by referring to a recent Madras High Court ruling concerning RSS route marches in Tamil Nadu.
He suggested that the Karnataka government should take the court’s observations into account while dealing with applications for RSS programmes.
The response adds a political dimension to the dispute, with the BJP questioning the government’s approach to the organisation’s proposed public events.
Madras High Court Ruling in Tamil Nadu
On October 16, the Madras High Court reportedly permitted RSS route marches at several locations in Tamil Nadu scheduled for October 25 and November 1, following earlier police rejections.
The court also emphasised that police should assist applicants in meeting procedural requirements rather than reject requests without proper consideration.
The ruling has since featured in the political debate surrounding the proposed marches in Karnataka. However, the Tamil Nadu proceedings concern a separate jurisdiction and do not automatically determine the outcome of applications in Bengaluru.
Wider Tensions Between Congress Government and RSS
The latest disagreement comes amid broader tensions between Karnataka’s Congress government and the RSS.
Kharge has previously raised questions concerning the organisation’s legal status, finances and use of public property. The state government has also considered measures requiring prior permission for certain events and processions on government premises.
The dispute reflects continuing disagreements over public gatherings, administrative procedures and the activities of the RSS in the state.
October 25 Marches Await Police Decision
The immediate issue is whether the RSS units will submit formal applications and whether the police will grant permission for the proposed Bengaluru marches.
Authorities will need to assess security, traffic management and law-and-order considerations before reaching a decision. Until formal clearance is confirmed, the status of the proposed processions remains subject to the police approval process.
Source: Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express
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