The Karnataka High Court on Thursday allowed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to conduct a route march in Chittapur town, Kalaburagi district, on November 16, while imposing specific conditions on the event. Justice MGS Kamal, who disposed of a petition filed by the RSS convenor from Kalaburagi, noted that the Tahsildar of Chittapur had already granted permission for the march subject to certain restrictions.

The court-approved event will now proceed with a maximum of 300 participants and a 50-member band, as per the modifications permitted by the High Court. The petition sought approval for the march, coinciding with the organisation’s centenary celebrations, and requested a higher cap on participants and band strength to accommodate public sentiment associated with the occasion.

Court Proceedings and Petitioner’s Plea

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam, representing the petitioner, thanked the authorities for granting initial permission but requested amendments to two conditions in the Tahsildar’s order. Specifically, she sought to increase the number of participants from 300 to 600 and the number of band members from 25 to 50. She argued that the proposed increase was warranted in view of the RSS centenary and the enthusiasm it generated among supporters.

Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, appearing for the State, opposed the request to raise the participant limit. He argued that the cap of 300 had been carefully determined after assessing similar marches conducted by the petitioner in nearby areas, which typically saw around 100–150 participants. However, the State did not object to increasing the band strength to 50 members.

Justice Kamal, after considering both arguments, allowed only the modification regarding the band strength while maintaining the participant limit at 300. The court noted, “Except for the increase in band strength to 50 members, the rest of the Tahsildar’s order shall remain unchanged.” With this, the High Court disposed of the petition, officially allowing the RSS route march to proceed under the revised terms.

Background of the Case

The controversy surrounding the march began in October when authorities in Chittapur, which is also the home constituency of Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, initially denied permission for the event. The Tahsildar cited concerns over potential disruption of peace and law and order, highlighting that other organisations, including the Bhim Army, had planned similar marches on the same route and date.

Following the initial denial, the RSS filed a petition on October 19 through Ashok Patil, seeking the High Court’s intervention. The court had instructed the petitioner to submit a fresh application for permission, directing the authorities to consider the request and submit a detailed report back to the court.

Implications of the High Court’s Order

The order effectively balances the RSS’s desire to conduct a public demonstration for its centenary celebrations with the administration’s responsibility to maintain public order. By permitting a 50-member band while capping participants at 300, the court sought to address both the organisation’s celebratory intentions and potential law and order concerns raised by local authorities.

The modified permission allows the RSS to proceed with its planned march on November 16, while ensuring that the event is monitored and controlled. Authorities in Chittapur and Kalaburagi are expected to make security arrangements in accordance with the conditions set by the Tahsildar and endorsed by the High Court.

Conclusion

The Karnataka High Court’s decision underscores the judiciary’s role in balancing the rights of organisations to hold public events with the need to maintain law and order. By allowing the RSS route march with a defined number of participants and a strengthened band, the court provided a legal resolution to the dispute while ensuring public safety. The march is now scheduled to take place with 300 participants and a 50-member band, reflecting both judicial oversight and administrative prudence in managing public demonstrations.