Priyank Kharge says prior permission mandatory for RSS route march as long as he is Minister
Kalaburagi (Karnataka): Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday said prior permission is mandatory for RSS to hold its route march in the state, as long as he remains a minister.
He asked, if permission is required even for a small Ganesh pandal to be erected during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, shouldn't an organisation, which is called the "world's biggest NGO" and receives donations from foreign countries, seek permission when hosting mega events?
"As long as I'm there, it is required," Kharge said in response to a question from reporters about whether prior permission from the Home Department is compulsory to hold a route march in the state.
"It (permission) is required because, as we (the government) submitted to the High Court following the stampede incident (outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB IPL victory celebration in 2025) the criterion for seeking permission for mega events applies.
Accordingly, let them seek permission; whether to grant it or not is left to us," he said, adding that the administration would decide based on the local situation.The minister further pointed out that last year in Chittapur, Kalaburagi district, there was an issue because the RSS was specific about demanding permission to hold a route march at a particular time, date and route.
He claimed that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently came to Jayanagar in Bengaluru, with prior permission for the event.
To a question about whether an unregistered organisation can organise route marches, he said, "It depends on where and what the purpose is. In what we have submitted to the court following the RCB stampede incident, details like --- purpose, what will be done, how many people can gather, from where all people may come, the organisation and its address, how many vehicles may come and from where, who will be responsible for crowd control, among others should be given or can be sought.
Asked about the RSS chief not responding to his recent letter asking RSS to register itself, clarify its legal status, and disclose its sources of funding, income, expenditure and assets, Kharge said, "It will happen, why are you (reporters) in a hurry? Whether it is them or me, all of us should abide by the law. I have written a letter; amid the centenary celebration of the RSS, there may be some delay in responding."
He accused the RSS leadership of speaking on matters like Pakistan and the economy, but they don't speak on their own existence. "Simple questions I have asked them: why they did not hoist the national flag for 52 years, why only one community people become Sarsanghchalak, why women cannot be part of the organisation, and where is the registration?"
Kharge also claimed that he might be issued a notice from the Ministry of Home Affairs after he started questioning the Sangh, and that they might rake up issues to target him, his family, and the organisations associated with his family.