Gurmitkal, Karnataka - The Yadgir district administration in Karnataka has granted conditional permission for a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route march in Gurmitkal, the former assembly constituency of All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge. The march, scheduled for October 31, 2025, coincides with the RSS centenary celebrations.
The permission comes with ten strict conditions to maintain public order. These include a ban on provocative slogans, the carrying of weapons, and causing damage to public or private property. Organizers are also responsible for any damages that occur. The RSS volunteers are required to strictly adhere to the designated route and ensure that no slogans hurting the sentiments of any caste or religion are raised. Any activities likely to disturb peace and communal harmony have been strictly prohibited. The order specifies that no roads should be blocked, no shops should be forcibly closed, and no deadly weapons or firearms shall be carried during the procession. Adequate police security arrangements will be in place along the route to maintain peace and order.
The procession is set to commence from Narendra Rathod Layout and will pass through key areas including Samrat Circle, Basaveshwara Circle, Hanuman Temple, and Kumbharawadi. Permission for the march was sought by Bassappa Sanjanol, District Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, through an application on October 23. The police have granted permission for the procession to pass through Samrat Circle, APMC Circle, Hanuman Temple, Marathawadi, Police Station Road, Milan Chowk, and Sihineeru Bavi Market Main Road, before ending at Ram Nagar.
Gurmitkal holds significance as the stronghold and home turf of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who has represented the constituency as MLA eight times.
Tensions have risen in the neighboring Kalaburagi district, where a peace meeting was convened to discuss permissions for the RSS and nine other organizations to hold rallies in Chittapur on November 2. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum following Karnataka High Court directives, involved heated exchanges among representatives from the RSS, Bhim Army, Bharatiya Dalit Panthers, Hasiru Sene, and other groups. Several organizations have urged the RSS to conduct its march carrying the national flag and the preamble of the Constitution instead of lathis and the saffron flag. However, RSS representatives have rejected this proposal, asserting their right to follow traditional practices. Opposing groups, including the Bhim Army, have warned they will organize their own marches on the same day if the RSS does not agree to the change.
The controversy began after authorities in Chittapur, the home constituency of Minister Priyank Kharge, denied permission for the RSS march earlier this month, citing potential law and order concerns. Following a petition by RSS functionary Ashok Patil, the High Court directed the district administration to review the group's fresh application and hold peace talks, with a report to be submitted by October 30.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, son of Mallikarjun Kharge, recently wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging a ban on RSS activities in government and government-aided schools, as well as in public spaces. He stated that the RSS conducts its shakhas in government and government-aided schools, as well as in public grounds, where slogans are shouted and negative ideas are instilled in the minds of children and youth. He also asked the chief minister to ensure that action is taken against government officers and employees taking part in RSS activities, stating that such practices go against India's unity and the spirit of the Constitution. Days after the letter, the Karnataka cabinet decided that any organisation conducting activities in government properties should take prior permission from the authorities. Also, a few government employees were suspended for taking part in an RSS route march.
