Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers took out a march in Chittapur in Kalaburagi district on Sunday. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI
The centenary march of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route, which had sparked intense debate and drawn national attention over the past month, was held peacefully in Chittapur in Kalaburagi district on Sunday amid tight security.
Held in Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge’s constituency, the march featured hundreds of uniformed volunteers carrying batons and flags marching through the city while thousands of residents lined the roads and showered them with flower petals.
The march started around 3:45 pm from Bajaj Kalyana Mantapa and continued along the pre-arranged route under elaborate security before returning to the starting point.
According to the conditions set by the administration, only residents of Chittapur were allowed to participate in or witness the procession. Police set up checkpoints on all roads leading into the city to ensure they did not join the march or enter as spectators.
Security measures were unprecedented. More than 1,000 police personnel, including civil police, KSRP, district armed reserve units and home guards, were deployed for the procession of 300 swayamsevaks accompanied by 50 band players.
The police formed a protective cordon around the contingent throughout the march. Several individuals who came in uniform but were not on the approved list were not allowed to participate in the parade. Youth attempting to raise unauthorized passwords were restrained and ordered to move behind the main group. Despite the massive turnout of supporters along the route, no unusual incidents were reported.
Two days before the event, 50 to 60 CCTV cameras were installed in the city with special focus on the parade route.
Several drone cameras were also deployed to watch the march from above, while police personnel recorded the proceedings on hand-held video cameras.
Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu, accompanied by Deputy Superintendent of Police Shankargouda Patil, personally supervised the deployment to ensure crowd control and strict adherence to the conditions laid down by the administration. Traffic diversions were in place across the city and authorities said the program ended peacefully without any untoward incidents.
In the morning, the police met with the organizers and reiterated the conditions that must be strictly followed.
The administration’s sweeping measures followed a prolonged phase of friction, legal interventions and rounds of mediation as the route march was the focus of intense public attention for nearly a month.
The RSS first sought permission in early October, but the administration rejected it, raising law and order concerns as many other organizations, including several Dalit outfits, sought permission to hold similar marches on the same day and route.
The RSS challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, prompting the Kalaburagi bench to order the administration to engage in peace talks.
The first meeting, held on October 28 in Kalaburagi, ended without consensus. The court then ordered a second round to be held at the Advocate General’s office in Bengaluru on November 5, where officials and representatives of all the applicant organizations met.
Following these considerations, the Chittapur tahsildar issued a conditional permit order on November 12, setting strict limits and behavioral expectations.
Published – 16 Nov 2025 20:41 IST
