Published on: November 13, 2025, 8:37 PM IST

In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted permission to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold its planned route march in Chittapur, Kalaburagi district, on November 16. The event will now take place with 300 participants and a 50-member band, as per the modified conditions approved by the court.

The order came from Justice M.G.S. Kamal, who noted that the Tahsildar of Chittapur had already granted permission for the march, subject to certain conditions related to public order, security, and adherence to route and time restrictions. The High Court’s intervention was sought after the local administration earlier denied permission citing potential law and order concerns.

Background of the Case

The case originated when Ashok Patil, the convenor of RSS in Kalaburagi, approached the High Court seeking permission to hold the route march in Chittapur. The RSS had planned the event as part of its centenary celebrations, a nationwide series of processions, public meetings, and commemorative activities marking 100 years since the organisation’s founding.

However, the Chittapur Tahsildar and local authorities had initially refused permission for the event, citing possible law and order issues. The decision was influenced by the fact that other organisations, including the Bhim Army, had also notified the administration of their intention to hold a march on the same day and route, raising the risk of confrontation or public disturbance.

The denial prompted the RSS to move the High Court on October 19, arguing that the decision was arbitrary and an infringement of their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression. The organisation maintained that its marches are peaceful and disciplined, asserting that concerns about unrest were unfounded and politically motivated.

The court, on October 19, had directed the RSS to file a fresh application before the local authorities and asked the administration to reconsider the request and submit a detailed report. Following this directive, the Chittapur Tahsildar eventually issued a conditional approval, paving the way for Thursday’s final ruling.

The Court Hearing and Key Arguments

At the Thursday hearing, Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam, appearing for the RSS petitioner, expressed gratitude to the authorities for granting permission but sought modification of two conditions imposed by the Tahsildar.

He requested the High Court to:

1. Increase the cap on participants from 300 to 600.
2. Raise the limit on band members from 25 to 50.

According to Shyam, the proposed numbers reflected the public enthusiasm surrounding the organisation’s centenary celebrations. He argued that larger participation was both symbolically significant and necessary to accommodate volunteers and supporters who had already registered for the march.

On behalf of the State, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty defended the restrictions imposed by the district administration. He contended that the limit of 300 participants was fixed after careful assessment of previous RSS marches in neighbouring areas, which typically attracted 100 to 150 marchers. The number, therefore, was reasonable and aimed at maintaining public safety.

While Shetty opposed the request to double the number of participants, he said the State had no objection to increasing the size of the band from 25 to 50 members. He noted that the musical accompaniment posed no security threat and was a cultural feature of RSS processions.

After hearing both sides, Justice M.G.S. Kamal agreed with the State’s reasoning on limiting the number of marchers but accepted the petitioner’s plea to raise the band strength. The court ordered that, “except for the increase in band strength to 50 members, the rest of the Tahsildar’s order shall remain unchanged.”

The Final Order

The Karnataka High Court thus disposed of the petition, permitting the RSS route march in Chittapur on November 16under the following terms:

• A maximum of 300 participants will be allowed.
• A 50-member band may accompany the procession.
• All other conditions specified in the Tahsildar’s approval will remain in force, including those concerning security coordination, route discipline, time of procession, and traffic management.

The court’s decision effectively reaffirmed the State’s right to regulate public gatherings for safety reasons while upholding the RSS’s right to peaceful assembly, striking a balance between administrative caution and constitutional freedoms.

The Earlier Denial and Political Context

The issue drew considerable attention as Chittapur is the home constituency of Minister Priyank Kharge, a prominent Congress leader and minister in the Karnataka cabinet. Local authorities’ initial refusal to allow the march had sparked allegations from RSS members and BJP leaders that the denial was politically influenced, a charge that the government firmly denied.

Officials justified the earlier refusal on the grounds that the simultaneous marches planned by different groups could lead to public tension or clashes. In their October 19 order, the administration cited letters from other organisations such as the Bhim Army announcing similar marches on the same day. The Tahsildar, therefore, argued that permission for multiple groups to march along the same route at the same time could jeopardise public peace and order.

The High Court, however, directed the authorities to reconsider the application objectively and not reject it outright without assessing the possibility of implementing safety measures and time separation between events. The administration subsequently revised its position and granted conditional approval.

Broader Context of RSS Route Marches

The RSS has been conducting route marches or “path sanchalans” across India as part of its centenary year activities. In several states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra, these marches have faced administrative restrictions, often leading to legal battles.

In many of these cases, High Courts and even the Supreme Court have reiterated that peaceful processions cannot be denied arbitrarily as they are protected under Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to assemble peaceably and without arms. However, authorities retain the power to impose reasonable restrictions under Article 19(3) to maintain public order.

Legal experts note that Thursday’s order aligns with earlier judicial trends that emphasise balance and proportionality—allowing lawful assembly while mandating strict compliance with safety and procedural norms.

Looking Ahead

With the High Court’s green light, the RSS march in Chittapur is set to proceed on November 16, under the watch of law enforcement agencies. The local administration has already drawn up a security plan involving police deployment, traffic diversion, and surveillance arrangements to ensure the event passes peacefully.

Justice Kamal’s ruling underscores a broader legal principle: freedom of assembly remains a cornerstone of democracy, but it must be exercised responsibly and within the framework of law. The court’s decision, therefore, reinforces the delicate balance between individual liberties and collective security, a balance that continues to define India’s approach to public expression and civic mobilisation.

In conclusion, the Karnataka High Court’s order permitting the RSS’s route march—albeit with conditions—marks another chapter in the ongoing dialogue between civic rights, political sensitivities, and administrative prudence. The decision reflects both judicial restraint and constitutional clarity, ensuring that lawful assemblies are respected while public order remains safeguarded.