RSS holds route marches across Bengaluru amid tight security

Bengaluru: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) held route marches at several locations across Bengaluru on Sunday as part of its centenary celebrations and Vijayadashami observances. BJP leaders R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy participated in the events.

Route marches were also organised in several other districts of Karnataka, although some were cancelled or postponed over permission-related issues.

RSS sources said the marches were held at several locations across Bengaluru, including Jayanagar and Chamarajpet, amid tight police security to prevent untoward incidents and maintain law and order.

Children, young people and senior members participated in the marches.

In Chamarajpet, the march passed through several areas before concluding in front of Siddharoodha Ashram. Volunteers walked to the beat of drums and paid their respects to “Mother India”.

Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner and BJP leader Bhaskar Rao also participated in the event.

Police made elaborate security arrangements at the venues to prevent untoward incidents and traffic congestion.

The route march scheduled in Tumakuru was postponed in view of the graduates’ constituency election.

In Mulbagal in Kolar district, the event was rescheduled for October 31, while the march in Chikkaballapur was deferred after the Deputy Commissioner withdrew permission.

The route march in Koppal was also reported to have been postponed, while conditional permission was granted for events in Ramanagara and Kalaburagi.

In Kalaburagi, organisers were directed to follow the prescribed route and refrain from making provocative speeches.

The RSS also planned to hold a route march in Hubballi, followed by a public meeting, sources said.

The events took place amid a political debate over the permissions required for RSS route marches. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has maintained that the organisation must obtain permission from the authorities rather than merely inform the police.

Kharge has also criticised RSS route marches in which participants carry sticks and questioned the organisation’s practices.

He has further asked RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat why the organisation has not been registered despite having existed for a century, and what its sources of revenue are for conducting large-scale events.