The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has filed a fresh application with the Kalaburagi district administration seeking permission to hold its centenary foot march in Chittapur on November 2, following directions from the Karnataka High Court.
On Monday, senior RSS functionary Ashok V. Patil submitted the new request to the Kalaburagi deputy commissioner (DC) via email and WhatsApp, after the delegation was unable to meet the official in person. In his letter, Patil stated that he had visited the DC’s office and official residence to deliver the application but was unable to hand it over directly. “In compliance with the High Court’s order, I have submitted the fresh application seeking permission to hold the foot march on November 2,” he wrote.
The High Court, while hearing an urgent petition filed by Patil, had instructed the RSS to submit a fresh plea and directed the state government to consider it before October 24. The petition challenged the earlier decision by local authorities to deny permission for the march, originally planned for October 19.
Justice M. G. S. Kamal, who presided over the hearing at the Kalaburagi Bench, also asked the government to ensure that all applications for processions be managed in a way that avoids conflict. The court noted that the RSS had successfully organised similar foot marches in over 250 locations across Karnataka without incident.
Government counsel argued that permission had been denied on law and order grounds, as two Dalit organisations - the Bhim Army and Dalit Panthers - had also applied to hold processions on the same day and route. The court, however, suggested that authorities could consider allocating separate time slots for each procession.
The controversy over the Chittapur march comes amid heightened political tensions. The town falls within the constituency of Minister Priyank Kharge, who recently urged the state to regulate the use of government and public property for organisational events. Following his letter, the government issued an order requiring prior approval for all public gatherings and warning of penalties for violations.
Earlier, local authorities had removed saffron flags, banners, and buntings from Chittapur, where the RSS had planned to begin its centenary march on October 19. The tahsildar later denied permission, citing the risk of clashes.
The RSS has maintained that the decision infringes on its right to conduct peaceful processions and has sought reconsideration from the administration as per the court’s latest order. The state government is expected to review the fresh application and submit a report to the High Court by October 24.