Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has urged the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to obtain formal permission from the competent authorities before conducting its Vijayadashami route marches in the state, emphasising that informing the police does not amount to official approval.

In a social media post, Kharge shared a letter reportedly submitted by RSS workers to a Bengaluru police station regarding a proposed procession. He asked the organisation to complete the prescribed application form, provide the required details and wait for clearance from the authorities before proceeding with the event.

The minister addressed RSS volunteers in a message referring to the ongoing Vijayadashami festivities. While stating that he did not intend to discourage their enthusiasm, he stressed that the organisation must follow the established procedures applicable to public processions.

Kharge distinguishes police intimation from formal permission

Kharge’s central point was that merely notifying the police about a proposed route march does not automatically authorise the event. He urged the RSS to submit the necessary application and obtain approval from the competent authority.

The minister also pointed out that requesting the Home Department to cooperate or make arrangements for a procession cannot be treated as a substitute for formal permission. Organisers, he said, must complete the required formalities and wait for the authorities to decide on their request.

The distinction is significant for public events that involve large gatherings, movement through busy roads and coordination among multiple government departments. Advance information allows officials to assess the proposed route, expected attendance and other requirements before deciding on the arrangements.

Kharge’s statement placed the focus on compliance with the procedure for public processions rather than on the festival itself. His message called on the RSS to follow the same administrative process expected of organisers seeking to hold public events.

RSS annual report cites 562 route marches in Karnataka

To underline the scale of the organisation’s activities, Kharge referred to the RSS annual report for 2025-26. According to the figures cited by the minister, the organisation had conducted 562 route marches across Karnataka, involving 2,21,963 uniformed volunteers.

The figures highlight the logistical requirements that can arise when processions are organised at multiple locations and involve substantial numbers of participants. Depending on the size, route and circumstances of an event, authorities may need to coordinate police deployment, traffic regulation and security arrangements.

Large processions can also require planning for transportation, crowd movement and other facilities. Officials need sufficient advance information to assess these requirements and determine what arrangements may be necessary.

Kharge referred to these administrative considerations while urging the RSS to follow the prescribed process. His argument was that organisers should provide the relevant details beforehand so that authorities can evaluate the proposal and prepare accordingly.

The figures cited by the minister also indicate the scale of the route marches mentioned in the annual report. However, the number of marches and participants alone does not establish whether any particular procession has received permission; that depends on the approval process applicable to each event.

Public processions require advance planning

Route marches and other public gatherings can affect traffic, pedestrian movement and access to public spaces, particularly when they pass through busy urban areas. Police and other departments may need to plan for crowd management, road diversions and security depending on the anticipated turnout and route.

Advance applications help authorities understand the proposed programme, including the location, timing, route and expected number of participants. This information can be used to assess potential public-order concerns and determine whether additional arrangements or conditions are required.

Kharge also referred to food and related arrangements among the logistical considerations associated with large-scale events. Such requirements may vary according to the nature and duration of a procession, the number of people involved and the facilities available along the route.

The minister’s message stressed that these arrangements involve planning and the use of public resources. He therefore urged the organisation to provide the necessary information and secure official clearance instead of assuming that prior communication with the police was sufficient.

The authorities concerned will determine whether permission can be granted in accordance with the applicable procedure and any requirements relevant to the proposed event.

Vijayadashami route marches in focus

The issue has brought the process for organising RSS route marches into focus during the Vijayadashami period. The organisation traditionally holds marches featuring uniformed volunteers as part of its activities around the festival.

Kharge’s remarks centre on the requirement to complete formalities before conducting such public events. His message did not suggest that informing the police should be ignored; rather, it distinguished notification from the formal approval required under the applicable procedure.

The immediate question is whether the organisers will submit the prescribed application and obtain clearance for their proposed procession. The letter shared by Kharge and his response have drawn attention to the administrative steps involved in arranging route marches in Karnataka.

Permission for a public procession depends on the applicable rules and the assessment of the competent authorities. Organisers are expected to provide the required information, while officials must consider the proposal and determine the arrangements or conditions necessary for the event.

Kharge’s statement ultimately called for the RSS to follow the established procedure and await formal approval before proceeding with its proposed Vijayadashami route marches in the state.