Police have sought permission for more than 60 RSS marches across Bengaluru

Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the RSS must seek “permission” rather than just “informing” the police. | Photo credit: File photo

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has filed more than 60 applications across the city ahead of its marches on the Vijayadashami route on October 25, and Bengaluru police are granting permits to those who meet standard procedures.

The RSS march apps became a point of discussion after Home Minister Priyank Kharge shared two messages from the RSS on social media that “informed” the police about the proposed marches in the city. He said the RSS must seek “permission” rather than just “informing” the police.

Mr. Kharge stressed the need for the police to ensure logistics, food, traffic management and other requirements as the rallies involve thousands of participants across the state.

However, his statement drew skepticism as it was seen as another clash between Mr Kharge and the RSS, reminiscent of the original denial of permission for a route march in November 2025 in the Chittapur constituency Mr Kharge represents. But the dispute ended after the intervention of the court, and the permit was finally granted with specific conditions.

This time, however, Mr. Kharge provided context by quoting the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha’s Annual Report 2025-26 to point out that more than two thousand “uninformed participants” took part in more than 562 marches in Karnataka. He said that arrangements for such large gatherings were necessary; so prior “approval” is needed, not “information”.

Accordingly, Bengaluru City Police is now granting permission for applications submitted in accordance with the rules.

A senior police officer told The Hindu that most of the applications were approved for the permit. “No special or specific guidelines are followed for RSS applications. Organizers have been asked to apply for permission through the standard application process for large gatherings and permission is granted only to those marches,” the officer said.

Police sources said applicants were directed to submit applications clearly mentioning the name of the organizer and at least five volunteers along with their contact details.

“Furthermore, they must provide the approximate number of participants, a map of the route, the reason for the marches and the type of march.” If these details are provided, permissions are granted,” the officer said.

Published – 23 Oct 2026 21:43 IST