Karnataka Home Minister urges RSS to seek formal permission for route marches

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has urged the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to follow official procedures and obtain formal permission before conducting Vijayadashami route marches in the state.

Kharge clarified that merely informing the Home Department or requesting cooperation does not constitute obtaining legal permission. He emphasized that large-scale marches require significant public resources, including police deployment, traffic management, security, and logistical support, all of which necessitate proper planning and formal approval.

The directive follows the circulation of a letter regarding a planned march in Bengaluru, which appeared to inform local police of an upcoming event rather than seeking authorization. Kharge cited the RSS's own annual report, noting that the organization conducted 562 route marches in Karnataka involving over 221,000 uniformed participants, highlighting the scale of coordination required for such activities.