The Karnataka Congress government, on 19 October 2025, issued an order making prior permission compulsory for any event held on government property. The directive, issued by the Home Department on Saturday, comes after a state Cabinet decision to regulate the use of public spaces.
The order defines ‘government property’ broadly, encompassing any land, building, structure, road, park, playground, waterbody, or other immovable property owned and managed by a local authority, department, board, or corporation.
This comes amid Karnataka Congress Minister Priyank Kharge’s call to the state government to ban RSS activities in Karnataka.
As per the Government Order (GO), organisations seeking to hold events must apply to jurisdictional revenue and police officials at least three days in advance. The competent authority is required to dispose of the application at least one day before the scheduled event by issuing a written order, provided the applicant meets all requisitions and is given a reasonable opportunity for a hearing.
The order stated that any program or procession held in violation of these rules will be considered unlawful under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the local police are empowered to register a suo motu case. The government has noted that detailed guidelines for the use of public spaces will be issued by respective departments.
The implementation of this order came into immediate focus in Chittapur, Kalaburagi district, – Priyank Kharge’s constituency, where permissions for two proposed rallies were denied. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had planned a route march, and the Bhim Army had scheduled a counter-event for the same day.
The Chittapur tahsildar rejected the RSS’s application, citing that the organisation had not sought prior permission, failed to provide details on the number of attendees, and did not submit registration documents or information about ‘lathis and other weapons’. The rejection letter stated the application would be reviewed only if the sought details were furnished.
🚨 Shameful misuse of power!
In Priyank Kharge’s Chittapur constituency, police removed @RSSorg Path Sanchalan banners even after official permission & ₹6,000 payment to City Municipality.
Is this democracy or dictatorship? ✋#AbuseOfPower #PriyankKharge #RSS@friendsofrss pic.twitter.com/zGVI4wy1HY
— 🚩Mohan Gowda🇮🇳 (@Mohan_HJS) October 18, 2025
Court Permits RSS Pathasanchalan
In a subsequent legal development, the Karnataka High Court allowed the RSS to hold its route march in Chittapur on 2 November 2025. The court was hearing a petition filed by Ashok Patil, convenor of RSS Kalaburagi, who challenged the authorities’ inaction on the original application for a Sunday event.
During the hearing, Justice MGS Kamal observed that everyone’s sentiments must be respected and questioned the state government on its plans to accommodate the event. The petitioner’s counsel argued that all official queries had been answered and pointed out that similar processions were conducted peacefully elsewhere in the state.
The petitioner agreed to hold the event on the new date. The High Court directed the petitioner to submit a fresh application with all required details to the Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi and asked the authorities to consider it and file a report before the next hearing on 24 October 2025. The court also noted that other organisations, including the Bhim Army and Bharatiya Dalit Panther, were similarly denied permission for their rallies.
(Source: NDTV & Indian Express)
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