The Karnataka government deferred permission for the RSS route march in Chittapur citing a “tense” situation. The High Court has now ordered a peace meeting before deciding on the event.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Friday informed the High Court that it has not yet decided on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) application to hold a route march in Chittapur, Kalaburagi district. The State explained that local authorities had reported a “tense situation” in the area.
The case was heard by Justice KGS Kamal.
Appearing for the State, Advocate General (AG) Shashi Kiran Shetty told the Court that a report from local officials highlighted the rising tensions in Chittapur.
He said that the tensions had increased due to “social media posts by some organisations,” adding that there was a possible risk of public disorder if any procession was permitted soon.
The report, he noted, suggested that processions could be allowed later once the situation became normal. The AG also read out that the area in question had “narrow roads, dense populations and traffic congestion,” which could make managing such events difficult.
Because of these issues, the AG requested the Court to postpone the hearing. He clarified that the government had not denied the RSS permission but had only “deferred it.”
However, Ashok Patil, the RSS district convenor for Kalaburagi, opposed any further delay. Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam, representing Patil, told the Court that the RSS march was initially scheduled for October 19.
He reminded the Court that
“the Court had even heard the matter on an urgent basis that day, despite it being a Sunday.”
Shyam said that the RSS had already agreed to postpone the march to November 2, as suggested by the Court. He explained that there was a “gentleman’s agreement” that the State would permit the march on that date once the route and logistics were finalised.
Shyam argued that the government was now
“enabling rival organisations to obstruct the route march even on November 2.”
He told the Court that several other groups had applied to hold rallies in Chittapur on the same date, only to prevent the RSS event.
He asserted,
“They (State) are creating the problem, not solving. Some organisations – they made representations before the media. Kindly see, they say they deliberately want procession on that date to curb (RSS procession). And government is facilitating this. All I am saying is we agreed on November 2. Others may be accommodated on some other date. Whole year they (other organisations) can protest.”
In response, the Advocate General said that the RSS need not be concerned about what other groups were doing.
He told the Court,
“There are 8 organisations. We are not concerned with any of them. Lot of people may say a lot of things. What we are concerned with is when the petitioner (RSS) can do the procession. SP’s report says it is not an appropriate time due to law and order there.”
The AG emphasized that the State’s only focus was to maintain peace and order. He said, “250 (RSS) marches were done in Karnataka without problem. Let them not create further law and order.”
Senior Advocate Shyam responded that the RSS was not causing any disturbance.
He said,
“We are not creating law and order problem. 250 marches took place without problem. If State has got difficulty in maintaining law and order, let Central forces be deployed.”
Objecting to that remark, the AG said,
“This (calling for Central intervention like this) is my learned friend’s problem.”
Shyam strongly replied,
“This is my fundamental rights. There is no prohibition to do it. Peaceful protest is permitted under Constitution.”
After listening to both sides, the Court took note of the State’s assurance that a peace meeting would be organised in Chittapur by local authorities.
The AG told the Court,
“Local authorities will talk to all organisations. We will try to resolve at the earliest.”
Justice Kamal then encouraged the government to handle the matter with fairness and efficiency.
He said,
“This is an opportunity to exhibit how well you can accommodate everyone. We hope, with your administrative capability, you can resolve this also.”
The Court directed that the peace meeting be held on October 28 and asked the State to inform all concerned parties about the time and venue within a day.
The matter will next be heard on October 30, when a report from the peace meeting will be submitted to the Court. Before concluding the hearing, Justice Kamal told the RSS counsel,
“If everything goes well, 2nd (November), you can have (the route march). Let us see how it is.”
Case Title:
Ashok Patil v Deputy Commissioner and Others
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