A meeting convened by the administration in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district on Tuesday to resolve differences over a proposed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh route march in Chittapur ended without reaching a consensus among participants, even as a clash between the RSS and the Bhim Army disrupted the meeting.
Chaired by Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, the meeting lasted a little over 90 minutes. Three representatives each of the RSS, Bhim Army, Dalit Panthers, and two from the Souharda Karnataka group were among the participants. Each group was allotted five minutes to present its case. While the district administration recorded their submissions, it failed to ensure a consensus among the participants.
According to sources, some organisations suggested that they would reconsider their planned events if the RSS agreed to hold a march without lathis, carrying the national flag and the Constitution instead. However, RSS leaders are said to have insisted on marching with lathis. This is said to have triggered a heated exchange leading to verbal clashes and sloganeering, following which the meeting was adjourned.
Following the meeting, Dalit organisations protested outside the deputy commissioner’s office, raising slogans against RSS leaders, expressing strong opposition to the outfit’s route march proposed to be held on November 2.
The written statements of the participant organisations will be submitted to the Karnataka High Court on October 30, as the meeting was held on the basis of the court’s directions. Apart from the RSS, Dalit groups too have sought permission to hold a route march on November 2. The RSS route march at Chittapur, previously scheduled for October 19, was denied permission on the grounds that the organisation had not submitted an application with relevant details regarding the organisers and participants. The Dalit organisations had also sought permission to hold a march in Chittapur on the same date.
As the RSS approached the high court over the issue, a political row erupted in the state. The local administration said it had denied permission for the march for fear that clashes could erupt between groups.
Meanwhile, the state government issued guidelines for the use of public spaces by private organisations, following a request made by Information Technology/Biotechnology Minister and Chittapur MLA Priyank Kharge. He had objected to RSS activities being carried out on government land without permission, and sought curbs to regulate the use of government-owned grounds, parks, temples, and other areas.