The controversy over the proposed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route march in Chittapur deepened on Tuesday (October 28, 2025) when a peace assembly convened by the Kalaburagi district administration, as directed by the Karnataka Excessive Court docketresulted in acrimony after the RSS delegation rejected the demand made by different teams to surrender lathis (picket staffs) and exchange them with nationwide flags and copies of the Preamble to the Structure throughout its centenary. March.
The assembly, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, was attended by representatives of 10 organizationstogether with the RSS, Bhim Military, Bharatiya Dalit Panthers, Gonda Kuruba ST Horata Samithi, Karnataka Rajya Chalavadi Kshemabhivruddi Sangha, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, amongst others.
On totally different days
When Ms. Taranum requested if the organizations had been prepared to carry their respective route marches on totally different dates to keep away from confrontation, a number of organizations, led by the Karnataka Rajya Chalavadi Kshemabhivruddi Sangha, opposed granting permission to the RSS, claiming it was not a registered organisation.
Tensions erupted when CPI(M) district secretary Okay. Neela, Bharatiya Dalit Panthers chief Mallappa Hosamani, and scholar Prof. RK Hudgi collectively proposed that the RSS be allowed to carry its route march provided that its volunteers agreed to surrender lathis and as an alternative carry the Indian nationwide flag and copies of the Structure’s Preamble.
Ambaraya Ashtagi, State vice-president of the BJP’s Scheduled Caste Morcha and a member of the RSS delegation, objected vehemently, questioning why the RSS ought to “comply with others’ diktat” on the best way to conduct its occasion. “We now have our personal custom and self-discipline. We can not enable others to inform us what to hold in our march,” he reportedly stated, sparking a heated trade.
RSS vs Karnataka govt: Is the regulation of personal organizations in public areas a hasty choice?
Different contributors, together with SS Tawde, Rajendra Kapanur, Dinesh Doddamani, Lachhappa Jamadar and different Dalit leaders who represented totally different organizations, countered that carrying lathis in a communally-sensitive city like Chittapur may provoke tensions and was “inconsistent with the spirit of constitutional democracy.” The argument grew sharp, resulting in an abrupt finish of the assembly with out a consensus.
Sloganeering towards RSS
Exterior the assembly venue, a lot of supporters from numerous Dalit, Left, and progressive organizations had gathered. Because the assembly broke up round 1 pm, protesters raised slogans towards the RSS and its “divisive politics,” prompting the police to escort the RSS representatives safely out of the Deputy Commissioner’s workplace. premises.
“Since a big crowd had gathered outdoors, we supplied secure passage to the RSS delegation as a precautionary measure,” stated a senior police officer. Police personnel have been deployed in entrance of Mr. Ashtagi’s home.
Counter-marches
Rising from the assembly, Bhim Military State president SS Tawde advised reporters that his group, together with different like-minded teams, would maintain their very own route march on the identical day because the RSS if it refused to exchange the lathis with the nationwide flag and the Structure Preamble. “We are going to present our dedication to the Structure,” he declared.
Dinesh Doddamani, District Normal Secretary, Karnataka Rajya Chalavadi Kshemabhivruddi Sangha, argued that the RSS was “setting Dalit leaders towards one another.” “Because the majority of Dalit organizations opposed the RSS route march, they pushed ahead Ambaraya Ashtagi, a Dalit and BJP chief, to counter us within the assembly. He’s getting used as a defend,” he alleged.
KALABURAGI (GULBARGA), KARNATAKA, 28-10-2025: Bhim Military State president SS Tawde talking to media representatives outdoors the Deputy Commissioner’s workplace in Kalaburagi after the peace assembly on. Tuesday. PHOTO: ARUN KULKARNI | Picture Credit score: ARUN KULKARNI
Mr. Ashtagi countered it and stated, “I’ve no subject with the nationwide flag. It was the BJP underneath Prime Minister Narendra Modi that launched the Har Ghar Tiranga marketing campaign. However we do not want classes in patriotism. from anybody. The RSS will do what the court docket directs, not what different organizations dictate.”
The dispute started after Chittapur Tahsildar Nagayya Hiremath denied permission to the RSS on October 19 to conduct its route march, citing potential legislation and order issues, after a number of organizations. sought permission for marches on the identical route and date.
Ashok Patil, the RSS chief in Chittapur, then filed a writ petition earlier than the Kalaburagi Bench of the Karnataka Excessive Court docket, difficult the denial. On October 24, Justice MGS Kamal directed the district administration to convene a peace assembly of all involved organizations to work out a consensus and report back to the court docket by subsequent date of listening to, October 30.
Printed – October 28, 2025 05:55 pm IST