Karnataka High Court.
Bengaluru, October 30, 2025 — The Karnataka High Court today expressed its cautious approach in the ongoing dispute between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Congress-led state government over permission for the RSS to hold a route march in Kalburgi, signaling the importance of setting a precedent for similar issues in the future.
Justice MG Kamal, who is overseeing the case, stated that the court hopes to establish a “path” for handling such disputes moving forward. He emphasized that the case could play a key role in guiding how future conflicts of this nature are addressed. The judge’s remarks came as the court allowed both parties, the RSS and the state authorities, to explore the possibility of resolving the issue outside the courtroom.
Court Encourages Dialogue
Both sides agreed to meet in person on November 5, 2025, to attempt a resolution. The meeting will be convened at the office of the Advocate General at 5 PM and will include the RSS’ Kalburgi convenor, Ashok Patil, and senior state officials, including Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty. Senior Advocates Aruna Shyam and Kadloor Satyanarayanacharya, representing the RSS, were also requested to attend.
The court’s suggestion came after the RSS convenor informed the court that he could not attend a peace meeting held earlier due to a family bereavement. In his absence, three representatives from the RSS attended the meeting instead.
Justice Kamal, while permitting the meeting, urged the lawyers present to guide the discussions, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the outcome would help set a constructive precedent for resolving similar disputes in the future.
Background to the Dispute
The dispute began when the RSS sought permission from the state government to hold a route march in Kalburgi’s Chittapur area on October 19, 2025, as part of its centenary celebrations. When the state did not respond to the application, the RSS approached the court. Subsequently, the RSS proposed rescheduling the march to November 2, but the state raised concerns over potential law and order issues, suggesting a further delay.
The situation became more complicated when rival organisations applied for permits to hold rallies on the same date, November 2, a move the RSS accused the state of facilitating in order to obstruct its march. Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam, representing the RSS, claimed that some of these organisations had openly stated that their applications were intended to prevent the RSS event from taking place.
In response, the state assured the court that it would first address the RSS’ application before considering other requests for rallies on the same day.
Ongoing Legal Developments
During the proceedings, the RSS convenor also filed a request to include the central government as a party to the case. However, the Advocate General objected, describing the move as politically motivated. The court did not press the issue of impleadment further during the hearing.
The case has now been adjourned to November 7, 2025, when the court will review the progress made in the discussions set for November 5.
With both sides agreeing to continue talks, the hope remains that a resolution can be reached without further judicial intervention. The outcome of the November 5 meeting could potentially resolve the immediate dispute and set a framework for handling similar cases in the future, as the court aims to guide both the state and the RSS toward a peaceful and fair resolution.
