A political dispute has arisen between the Congress and BJP in Chittapur as authorities declined permission for route marches by the RSS and Bhim Army due to potential law and order concerns.
The Chittapur Tahsildar, Nagayya Hiremath, issued an official order denying permission for both organizations, citing the need to maintain peace and prevent any disturbances in the area. The order specifically mentioned the RSS route march scheduled for October 19, stating that the request was rejected to avoid any untoward incidents.
Reports indicated that both the RSS and Bhim Army had applied for permission to hold processions on the same day and route, raising fears of clashes. The tahsildar highlighted police intelligence warnings of potential conflicts among the RSS, Bhim Army, and Indian Dalit Panthers if all groups proceeded with their processions simultaneously.
Referring to a recent incident involving an alleged threat by an RSS worker towards local MLA and Minister Priyank Kharge, the order emphasized the need to prevent any further escalation. In response, the Chittapur Town Municipal Council removed unauthorized banners and cut-outs placed by the RSS along the main road.
The BJP Karnataka unit criticized the Congress, emphasizing the long-standing presence and resilience of the RSS. BJP MP Jagadish Shettar accused the Congress government of engaging in political vendetta and spreading confusion among the public.
The Karnataka High Court intervened, instructing the state government to review petitions for the proposed RSS route march on November 2. The court directed both organizations to submit new applications to the Deputy Commissioners and coordinate with local authorities to schedule separate timings to prevent clashes.
Against this backdrop, the Karnataka government issued a new mandate requiring “prior permission” for private organizations using government property. This decision followed Minister Priyank Kharge’s request to ban RSS activities in public spaces, leading to a Cabinet resolution.
The situation remains contentious, with further legal proceedings scheduled for October 24.