Bengaluru, October 14, 2025 – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed the state's Chief Secretary to conduct a comprehensive study of Tamil Nadu's controversial restrictions on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in government premises, a directive that has unleashed a torrent of backlash from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Described by critics as a "soft Hindutva reversal" by the Congress government, the move—prompted by a formal plea from IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge—threatens to ban RSS shakhas (training sessions) and related events on public land, reigniting debates over secularism, cultural rights, and political vendettas in the run-up to Diwali.
The announcement, made public during Siddaramaiah's visit to Bagalkot on Monday, underscores growing tensions within Karnataka's polarized political landscape. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating development projects, the 82-year-old CM confirmed he had written to Chief Secretary S.V. Prasad earlier in the day, tasking him with examining the "legal, administrative, and practical aspects" of Tamil Nadu's model. "Priyank Kharge has written a letter highlighting instances where RSS activities are being conducted on government land without permission. I've asked the Chief Secretary to study the Tamil Nadu policy in detail and submit a report soon," Siddaramaiah stated, emphasizing that the review aims to ensure "government properties are used solely for public welfare and not for ideological indoctrination." He added a caveat, noting, "We have no objection if RSS obtains prior police permission for meetings, but unauthorized activities will not be tolerated."
Roots in Priyank Kharge's October 4 Missive
The catalyst for this administrative scrutiny traces back to a pointed letter from Kharge, son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, dated October 4. In the two-page communique addressed directly to Siddaramaiah, the Kalaburagi MP-turned-minister urged the adoption of Tamil Nadu's framework to "prohibit RSS shakhas and gatherings in government institutions, schools, and public spaces." Kharge cited multiple complaints from parents and educators about RSS volunteers conducting drills and ideological sessions in school premises, often without formal approval, which he argued "undermines the secular fabric of education." He referenced a specific incident in Bidar district where a government school was allegedly used for RSS route marches, drawing parallels to Tamil Nadu's crackdown that followed similar protests in 2021.
Kharge's intervention isn't isolated; it builds on a series of low-key but pointed critiques from Congress leaders against the RSS's expanding footprint in Karnataka's civic life. As a key architect of the party's 2023 election victory, Kharge has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for "inclusive governance," using his IT portfolio to spotlight what he sees as encroachments on neutral public spaces. Party insiders suggest the letter was a strategic nudge to align Karnataka more closely with southern Congress allies like Tamil Nadu's DMK, amid national pressures to counter the BJP's cultural narrative.
Tamil Nadu's Model: A Blueprint for Southern States?
Tamil Nadu's restrictions, formalized through a 2021 government order under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, represent one of India's most aggressive stances against the RSS. The policy mandates strict prior approval for any non-educational use of state-run facilities and has resulted in over a dozen FIRs against RSS functionaries for violations, including unauthorized uniform drills in schools. Enforced amid heightened communal sensitivities post the 2020 Delhi riots, it frames RSS activities as potential "paramilitary training" that could foster division in diverse classrooms. Stalin's administration defended it as a safeguard for "constitutional secularism," rejecting BJP accusations of "anti-Hindu bias."
Karnataka's potential emulation could extend beyond schools to include anganwadis, community halls, and even IT parks—areas under Kharge's oversight. Legal experts note that while the RSS, as a cultural organization, enjoys broad freedoms under Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution, states can impose "reasonable restrictions" for public order. However, implementation here might face hurdles: Karnataka's RSS network is denser, with over 5,000 shakhas statewide, and recent clashes—like the October 13 ejection of BJP MLA Munirathna from a government event while in RSS attire—have already supercharged the discourse.
The Chief Secretary's report, expected within two to three weeks, will likely recommend a graded approach: outright bans in educational institutions, permissions for others, and enhanced monitoring via district administrations. Sources in the CMO indicate Siddaramaiah views this as low-risk politics—bolstering the party's minority base without alienating Hindu voters, especially post the Congress's "soft Hindutva" pivot in 2023.
BJP's Outrage: 'Congress's War on Hindu Identity'
The BJP wasted no time in framing the review as a frontal assault on Hindu organizations, with state president B.Y. Vijayendra leading the charge. "This is the height of Congress hypocrisy—banning RSS while silent on radical Islamist groups. Siddaramaiah and Kharge are exposing their anti-Hindu agenda to appease vote banks," Vijayendra thundered at a press conference in Bengaluru, vowing "intense protests across the state" if the curbs materialize. He tagged RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in a fiery X post, accusing the Congress of "stifling cultural patriotism" ahead of Diwali, a festival the Sangh Parivar uses for mass outreach.
Former CM Basavaraj Bommai amplified the tirade, linking it to "national security threats" by alleging RSS curbs embolden anti-national elements. "Priyank Kharge's letter is a direct import of DMK's Dravidian separatism—Karnataka won't tolerate it," Bommai said, referencing the BJP's 2024 white paper on Congress "appeasement politics." JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, a Congress ally turned rival, joined the fray, warning of "social unrest" and demanding the review be shelved to preserve coalition harmony.
Social media has exploded, with #SaveRSSKarnataka trending alongside #BanRSSNow. BJP IT cell handles have shared clips of RSS community service during floods, contrasting them with "Congress goondaism." Meanwhile, progressive voices on X praise the move as a "secular reset," citing Kerala’s similar vigilance against "majoritarian drills."
Implications: A Litmus Test for Congress's Southern Strategy
This episode arrives at a precarious juncture for Siddaramaiah's government, grappling with internal rifts over cabinet berths and the flagship "Five Guarantees" scheme's fiscal strain. Analysts like Prof. Muzaffar Assadi of the University of Mysore argue it could solidify Congress's hold on urban minorities (25% of Karnataka's electorate) but risks alienating rural Hindus, where RSS influence runs deep. "It's a high-wire act—echoing Tamil Nadu's success without igniting a full-blown saffron backlash," Assadi noted.
Nationally, it dovetails with Congress's renewed offensive against the BJP-RSS "triumvirate," amplified by Rahul Gandhi's recent speeches on "constitutional threats." Yet, with the 2028 assembly polls looming, the review could boomerang if perceived as overreach, especially after the BJP's 2024 Lok Sabha gains in coastal belts.
As the Chief Secretary's team pores over Tamil Nadu's orders—potentially consulting legal eagles and stakeholder inputs—the coming weeks will test Karnataka's delicate communal equilibrium. For Siddaramaiah, it's a gamble on governance over optics; for the BJP, a rallying cry against "secular hypocrisy." In a state where ideology often trumps infrastructure, this RSS row may define the winter session's acrimony.
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