Karnataka Home Minister tells RSS to get official permission for state marches

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has told the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh that it must apply for official permission from the proper authorities before holding its planned Vijayadashami street processions on October 25.

Official Stance

Kharge stated on social media that simply sending a notice to the Home Department or asking for police help does not equal getting approval. He explained that the police require proper time to organize security, food, traffic control, and troop movement for large public events. The minister pointed out that the RSS annual report for 2025-26 mentions 562 planned marches in the state with over two lakh participants, which means the police need advance notice to manage public safety.

Local Letters

To support his point, Kharge shared copies of letters sent by local RSS groups to police stations in Bengaluru. One letter from the Kamalanagar unit informed the Mahalakshmi Layout police about a morning procession starting near a Shiva temple. Another letter to the Nandini Layout police and traffic branch outlined a march route in Laggere starting from a school ground. Kharge wants the group to use official application forms and wait for green signals instead of just informing local officers.

Registration Debate

Aside from the route marches, Kharge claimed the RSS is not a registered group and questioned how it operates legally while seeking details on its finances. In response, the organisation has argued that many groups in the country function without formal registration and that the law does not require it in every case.

Context

Public processions and large street rallies in India usually require advance clearance from local police and civic bodies to ensure traffic management and public safety. Ministers and law enforcement agencies often remind event organizers to follow official approval channels well before large gatherings take place.