Bengaluru, Tuesday – Karnataka Minister for Home, e‑Governance, Electronics, IT and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge issued a formal reminder to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to obtain official permission before organising Vijayadashami route marches across the state.
In a written statement addressed to RSS volunteers, Kharge clarified that merely informing the Home Department or seeking its cooperation does not satisfy legal requirements. He urged the organisation to submit a complete application through the prescribed channel and await written approval from the competent authorities.
Kharge referenced the RSS Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha Annual Report 2025‑26, which records 562 route marches in Karnataka involving 2,21,963 uniformed participants. He warned that if hundreds of thousands of volunteers were to march simultaneously, the Police Department would need to mobilise substantial resources, including personnel, transport, food, traffic control, security and other logistical support.
The minister highlighted that large‑scale public events draw on state manpower and financial assets, making prior planning essential. He reiterated that the RSS must fill out the standard application form, provide detailed itineraries and wait for formal clearance before proceeding.
Kharge concluded the communication by extending Dasara greetings to RSS volunteers. The statement arrives amid an ongoing dispute in which Kharge has repeatedly questioned the legal status of the RSS, describing it as an unregistered money‑laundering unit and writing to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for clarification.
Recent incidents in Chittapur and Bengaluru saw the RSS conduct processions that Kharge alleged were inflated in size and used pressure tactics on students from hostel facilities, allegedly under influence of BJP leaders’ families. He also called for a ban on the use of public premises for RSS activities.
In August 2026, two government school teachers were suspended after a complaint revealed their participation in an RSS march, violating service rules that bar government employees from joining political or unregistered organisations. Kharge defended the action, stating that enforcement must be uniform across all groups, including the RSS and SDPI. Following his letters, the minister reported receiving severe online abuse and a death threat, prompting police complaints.
Image: Wikipedia — Priyank Kharge
📰 Source: Mangalorean News