RSS Route March Row: Karnataka High Court Asks Authorities To Hold Meeting With Organisers; Takes Note Of Report Indicating Tension & Public Disorder

The matter emanated from a Petition seeking permission to hold or conduct an RSS route march (patasanchalana) starting from Bajaj Kalyanamantap and returning to Bajaj Kalyanamantap-Chittapura ground.

The Single Bench of Justice M.G.S.Kamal ordered, “Considering the contents of the report, submission of the learned Advocate General and learned Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner, the respondent-authorities are directed to hold the meeting with the petitioner and organizations as indicated in the report extracted herein above on 28.10.2025. The petitioner shall also co-operate in respondent-authorities taking appropriate decision in the matter, keeping in mind the situation in the Chittapur town and taluk area.”

Factual Background

The matter emanated from a petition filed by an officer bearer of the RSS seeking direction to the respondents – authorities to grant permission to hold or conduct RSS route march (patasanchalana) on October 19, 2025, at Chittapur, starting from Bajaj Kalyanamantap and returning to Bajaj Kalyanamantap-Chittapura ground. The grievance of the petitioner was that an application was submitted by the petitioner to the Chief Executive Officer, Town Municipal Corporation, as well as the Police Inspector, Chittapur Police Station, seeking permission to install banners and hoardings across the route of patasanchalana by paying fees of ₹ 6,000, but no action was taken by them in this regard.

By an order dated October 19, 2025, the High Court had directed the respondent Authorities to submit a report on the action taken by them in according permission to the petitioner and his organisation to conduct pathasanchalana on November 2, 2025 with specific reference to the routes, place and time. In furtherance thereof, a memo along with a report and certain enclosures was filed.

Arguments

The Advocate General submitted that the petitioner’s request was neither declined nor rejected and was still under consideration. It was further brought to the Court’s notice that, in the light of the reports received by the local authorities about the law and order situation in the Chittapur area, the matter would be resolved in two weeks.

The Petitioner, on the other hand, insisted that the respondent-authorities must ensure that the Petitioner and his organisation conduct their pathasanchalana and incidental events on November 2, 2025, and no postponement is done.

Reasoning

The Bench took note of the report wherein it was mentioned that there existed some kind of tension in Chittapur town and across the taluk between various organisations regarding the grant of permission for conducting pathasanchalana/ assembly. It was also stated therein that if permission was given for such pathasanchalana/procession/march-past/ assembly, there was a possibility of public disorder. As per the Report, it was deemed appropriate to consider the application on a future date when the situation on the ground normalised and the environment became more conducive.

Taking note of the facts and circumstances, the Bench directed the respondent authorities to hold the meeting with the petitioner and organisations on October 28, 2025. The Bench also asked the petitioner to cooperate with the respondent authorities in taking an appropriate decision in the matter.

The Advocate General stated that the time and place of meeting as directed will be communicated to the petitioner, as well as the Senior counsel and the counsel on record appearing for the petitioner, within a day’s time.

“List this matter on 30.10.2025 at 2.30 p.m. to report the outcome of the meeting”, the Bench concluded.

Cause Title: Shri Ashok Patil v. The Deputy Commissioner (Case No.: WP 203166/2025)